Internationally-acclaimed and award-winning Afro-fusion group Mokoomba embarks on yet another North American tour this week as the group promotes its latest album titled Luyando (Mother’s Love).
By Moses Mugugunyeki
Last month the Victoria Falls-based outfit left fans clamouring for more when they staged a farewell gig at Ambassador Hotel Rooftop. Mokoomba, regarded as one of the best touring acts in Europe and America, kept local fans on their feet with its electrifying blend of Afro-fusion, funk, ska, pop and traditional Zimbabwe beat.
The group’s manager Marcus Gora confirmed their European and American tour to The Standard Style last week.
“We are leaving next week [this week] for a month-long tour of North America and we will be back towards the end of March,” said Gora. “This is the first of a series of international tours that we will do this year as we continue to promote our album Luyando and also to reach new audiences.”
Mokoomba rose to prominence in 2008 after winning the Music Crossroads Inter-Regional Festival. The group sings in a number of languages, including Tonga, Nyanja and Lubale.
They have three albums — Kweseka (2009), Rising Tide (2012) and Luyando (2017) — under their sleeves.
Gora said their latest offering Luyando was doing well both locally and internationally.
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“Our latest album Luyando, which we released last year is doing well on the market. We are working on new material, which we plan to start recording soon,” he said.
Known for hits such as Njoka, Masangango, Mangongo, Mwile, Misozi, Yombe and Nimukonda, among others, the group has spent the better part of their performance schedule in foreign lands. However, Gora said it was not affecting their social life.
“We are now used to being on the road, but we always miss our families and home when we are on tour. Technology does help a lot so we are always on social media connecting with our family, friends and audiences,” he said.
Gora said hard work and dedication were rewarding the group.
“The guys are just working hard to make music that is engaging, uplifting and original. Music is a powerful, universal language that brings people together and transcends borders. We are still on our way to becoming popular, but that’s not the most important thing,” he said.
The group is made up of Mathias Muzaza (lead vocals and percussions), Trustworth Samende (lead guitar and backing vocals), Abundance Mutori (bass guitar and backing vocals), Donald Moyo (keyboards and backing vocals), Ndaba Coster Moyo (drums and backing vocals) and Miti Mugande (percussions and backing vocals).
Gora said the group was planning to have more shows locally and would tour Bulawayo, Masvingo and Victoria Falls after returning from the American tour.
“We are delighted to be getting more attention from local audiences that appreciate the kind of music that we are producing,” he said. “More people are coming to our concerts to see for themselves Mokoomba performing live, which is great. Our plan is to have more local concerts in different cities around the country in 2018 and to push for more airplay so our music can be heard.”
The group kick-starts their tour with a performance at Bric Arts Media in Brooklyn, New York, on Thursday before flying to Boston for another gig at House of Blues on Saturday. Mokoomba returns home at the end of March.
