Mukundu mixes experience, new talent in latest project

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RENOWNED musician and producer Clive Mono Mukundu has compiled music of Jah Prayzah, Edith WeUtonga, Bob Nyabinde, Cynthia Mare and Jamaican Luciano, among other new artists, into a fully-fledged album entitled Anatha Brick 7.

RENOWNED musician and producer Clive Mono Mukundu has compiled music of Jah Prayzah, Edith WeUtonga, Bob Nyabinde, Cynthia Mare and Jamaican Luciano, among other new artists, into a fully-fledged album entitled Anatha Brick 7.

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Mukundu released the compilation album, which is fused with sound from high-profile artistes and budding musicians.

The 15-track album released annually is in its seventh edition and Mukundu spoke on how this project is meant to introduce and promote young artists.

“Since 2009 I have been releasing a series of Anatha Brick compilation albums to help introduce budding and talented musicians,” he said.

“To make it interesting, I cushion new artistes with a few established ones for whom I would have done productions at Monolio Studios.” Monolio Studios is Mukundu’s studio based in Hatfield, Harare.

In the compilation album there is a track titled Roots, on which Jah Prayzah collaborated with Jamaican reggae sensation Luciano. The song talks about not forgetting where one comes from. The collaboration came about when Luciano visited Zimbabwe last year. Mukundu created the beat and instruments.

Songstress Cynthia Mare’s song Zuva Rimwe, which made waves last year, is also part of the album. However, this time it’s in the form of a reggae version.

Mukundu, who was part of Oliver Mtukudzi’s Black Spirits, introduced his 17-year-old son Takunda on the album with a song Magitare ne Ngoma. Its an instrumental jam where the teenager showcases his guitar skills. Takunda is a Prince Edward High School student working on a solo project under the watchful eye of his father.

Legendary Bob Nyabinde is also featured with a track dubbed Mombe Yemavhu. The song discourages people to get comfortable with things which are not theirs, instead encouraging people to work hard to acquire what they call their own.

Wagodoka by Edith WeUtonga featuring rapper Outspoken discourages jealousy and hate among men.

France-based Queen Mashie comes in with a house track, Godo which also discourages jealousy and hate. Queen Mashie is sister to the late Andy Brown and was part of Brown’s band The Storm.

Former Mtukudzi’s band member Vimbayi Zimuto also features in with a track called Wandisiya. Zimuto previously worked with Umoja and Tanga wekwa Sando.

Filis Ekanga, a United States-based Congolese artist, fuses the album with rhumba on the track Ngolu.

A group of former Prince Edward jazz band boys — Intotal — comes in with a track called Nono which arguably is sound for the mature.

Promising gospel artistes Primrose Njewa, Denzel Chivase and Kuda Mutsvene showcased their first singles Hakuna Anoramba, Mwari Kumusoro and Taurai respectively. Njewa was part of Zimpraise and Mutsvene is young brother to gospel musician Mercy Mutsvene.

Mukundu added his single Lonely Pachaunga from his recent album Gwenyagitare.

“It is a good feeling working with top artistes and I have been doing so since 1994 as a seasoned musician,” Mukundu said.

“The upcoming artistes benefit a lot from this series of compilation albums. They are already receiving favourable airplay and getting noticed in the industry, which is the main aim of the project.”