Dembo to release ‘love-inspired’ album

Standard Style
Tendai Dembo, son of the late legendary Leonard, is in the studio working on a “love-inspired” album set to be released at the end of next month.

Tendai Dembo, son of the late legendary Leonard, is in the studio working on a “love-inspired” album set to be released at the end of next month.

By Staff Reporter

Dembo, who fronts Barura Express, told The Standard Style yesterday that work was in progress and his fans should brace for his solo third project, which he said was in a class of its own.

Barura Express got a major boost recently when a local doctor, Johannes Marisa, bought state-of-the-art musical instruments worth $22 000 for the group ahead of the album release.

“We are in the studio putting final touches on the album. It’s a love-inspired project,” Dembo said.

“There are so many things that have happened in my life — from my family to my career — but because of love, we have overcome some of the obstacles and life goes on.

“The forthcoming album talks about love in different forms. As a family, we have been bound by love and Barura Express has remained intact because of love. We have people like Dr Marisa who have assisted us because of their love. All is contained in the new album.”

Dembo is slowly fitting well in his late father Leonard’s shoes, which has endeared him with Barura music fans. Marisa is one of the many fans of the late musician who have “anointed” Tendai as heir apparent to the Barura Music throne. “I grew up listening to Leonard Dembo’s music that when he died in 1996, I couldn’t eat food for three days. I am happy that Tendai has taken over and is keeping his father’s legacy alive,” Marisa said.

“I will keep on supporting him. I will help him achieve his goals, which include keeping his father’s legacy alive. I am in the process of getting a kombi to carry the band members as well as the instruments whenever they go for live performances.”

Marisa said he would make sure that Dembo was well-equipped to release good music.

“He is in the studio working on the album. We are doing everything so that he gets the support he wants to come up with a polished album that keeps Barura Music alive,” he said.

Marisa, who two years ago donated a car — a Mercedes-Benz ML — to Dembo, vowed to maintain his association with Barura Express.

“Apart from supporting Tendai, I take care of the entire group’s welfare. Members of the group get free medical assistance from my health institutions and we pay rentals for them,” he said.

Dembo alongside his brother Morgan ventured into music in 2007 having gone through apprenticeship at the hands of sungura ace Alick Macheso. Six years later, the brothers released Kutsika Matsimba before they went their separate ways a year later.

In 2014, Dembo launched his first album, Kupakwashe, which was followed by his second offering, Mushando, in 2016. Mushando was produced by the legendary Bothwell Nyamhondera and was distributed and marketed by Diamond Studios.