URBAN grooves sensation Lungisani “Sani” Makhalima says performing with live instruments is a step towards reclaiming his place among the country’s creme de la creme of Zimbabwean music.
By Moses Mugugunyeki
Makhalima, who is riding high on the music charts with his latest offering Ndimbundire off the album The Ark, joins a handful of urban grooves musicians in performing with live instruments. Most upcoming musicians, especially those who are into Hip-Hop, R‘n’B and Zimdancehall do not play live instruments, but sing pre-recorded songs on CDs.
“The Ark marks the beginning of Sani. It brings the real Sani,” Makhalima said. “I have been in this industry for quite some time, but I am reinventing myself with this latest offering. I used to experiment with four genres in the past, but I am saying I am back a changed Sani.”
Makhalima, who says his music is pure R ‘n’ B said although he did not record his album with live instruments, he was happy that his band The Acoustics manages to woo crowds whenever it performs live.
“We have been doing live performances and people like our music very much. I am happy we are playing live instruments for all our music,” he said.
Makhalima is among the pioneers of the urban grooves genre in Zimbabwe. He has released six albums Ndofefeterwa, Acoustics, Urban Renewal, Mr Makhalima and Friends, Evolution and The Ark.
“I am working on my next album Centurian, which marks my 100 commercial songs since I started my career,” he said. The Ark, which Makhalima believes is one of his best projects, comprises 10 tracks which include Ndimbundire, Ndipe Rudo which was voted Number 1 on Power FM’s 2014 Top 100, Dzimwe Nguva, Kana Ndada, I am, Kubhaguja, Kutenda Kwangu and Mashoko.
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Makhalima, who has worked with a number of artistes on a number of projects, also featured Lazzie T and Yoz on the song Kubhaguja.
“Collaborations are good for us. I have always wanted to work with fellow artistes and on Kubhaguja, I featured Lazzie T and Yoz. I intend to work with artistes from Zambia, Tanzania and Angola in my next projects. Locally, I am working with Mr Hinges, Nyasha Timbe, Muzimba and Sebastian Magacha,” Makhalima said.
He said fans should expect more of his live performances.
“The Acoustics will be performing live in Harare. We want to have that intimate relationship with our fans and the best way to do that is to perform live,” he said.
Makhalima said he will release an album comprising his greatest hits next year. He is also working on a number of videos for his songs Dzimwe Nguva, Mashoko and Ndimbundire.
