Sungura musician Brian Samaita says his forthcoming album titled Kumaziva Ndadzoka, which is set for release on Friday, is one of his greatest projects and it will announce his arrival on the local music scene.
By STAFF REPORTER
The Mutare-based singer said his music was more popular in Mozambique than in Zimbabwe, but believes the forthcoming offering — his fourth — will rank him among the crème de la crème of sungura music.
“It is a masterpiece and even Bothwell Nyamhondera, who was doing the production, gave thumbs up to it. I attribute this to my group which had been intact in the past two years as we worked on the project,” Samaita said.
He said the move to establish his own group Murondatsimba Express had paid dividends on the project which is a five-track album of “pure sungura”.
The album also features gospel diva Agatha Murudzwa and Utakataka Express chanter Shiga Shiga.
“Aunty Agatha features on the song Jerusarema while Shiga Shiga is featured in two songs. Blessing Shumba, who was supposed to be part of the project, could not make it as he was committed elsewhere,” he said.
With three albums — Nemiwo Munazvo, Murodzi Wepfungwa and Tsono — under his belt, the businessman-cum musician said the new album would be launched in Harare.
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“I am working on the logistics, but we are launching the album at a radio station in Harare on Friday. After the launch, we will tour the country, promoting our music,” he said.
The album carries tracks — Ndizvo Here, Usatuke Mvuu, Ndave Kuenda (from which the album title was derived from), Ndinokutendai and Jerusarema.
He said songs from his previous albums that include Murodzi Wepfungwa, Dzinza Rake, Sando Dzangu, Kabasa, Tinosvika Chete and Simon Zuze were well-received across the country although they did not get airplay on local radio stations.
Samaita grew up in Chinhoyi where he did his primary and secondary education. He did a course in engineering and worked for a transport firm in the town, before he was transferred to Mutare.
“In Mutare, I met Spencer Kumulani, now with Utakataka Express, who later introduced me to Somandla Ndebele. I was so in love with Barura music, Soma took me to Tongai Moyo who at that time was playing some kind of Barura music,” he said.
“We became friends with ‘Dhewa’ and he supported me as I embarked on my solo career. I also supported him as a promoter until his death in 2012. I managed to release my first album Nemiwo Munazvo in 2012 and it did very well.
Soma did the backing vocals on all the songs on the album.”
