With nearly two decades of musical experience, Alick Macheso, popularly known as Cheso Power, now has five albums to his name.
Having started with Nicholas Zakaria and the Khiama Boys, Macheso has never looked back. For thirteen years since 1984, Macheso played the bass guitar and was a vocalist at Khiama. He is arguably the best bassist Zimbabwe has produced in recent times in
sungura music. All in all, he was actively involved in 10 albums and in 1998, he decided to move on.
Before leaving Khiama, Alick had also shown his ability in composing as he composed four songs during his time there. These were Sekuru Ndibatsireiwo, Chionai Amai--popularly known as Dangerzone, Varume Woye and Shamiso. Of all these, Shamiso was the hit which made Alick Macheso be recognised as a composer.
In 1998, Alick decided that it was time he moved on and this was the birth of the Orchestra Mberikwazvo. This band included Zakaria Zakaria--younger brother to Nicholas, Donald Gogo, Rogers Fatiya, Thomas Tasinto, Kenneth Chembe and Jabulani Chimiti who were the dancers. Up to now,
Orchestra Mberikwazvo has six albums. These are Vapupuri Pupurai, Magariro,
Vakiridzo, Simbaradzo,
Zvakanaka Zvakadaro and Zvido Zvenyu Kunyanya. Macheso has been consistent in churning out six-track albums and on three of his albums; he has put a Chewa song as well. His social commentary transcends the whole of society and themes include family life, love and other day-to-day happenings in one’s life. These are woven with a mellifluous and touching tune into the
sungura music of a kind that has been embraced by many in Zimbabwe. As a result, Macheso is known widely as the King of
Sungura music. He now has followers both within and outside the country and his popularity continues to grow.
Vapupuri Pupurai:
1. Makandidana: The socio-economic hardships and migration amongst other reasons have been a source of friction and argument
between parents who think they are being neglected and children trying to make ends meet. It has also caused discomfort
between partners as they feel sidelined. Makandidana is an apology by a child and or partner explaining the difficulties
sighted above. However, it ends by encouraging everyone to try and assist relatives and friends alike regardless of the
hardships that maybe encountered.
2. Hupenyu Hwemunhu: Giving a metaphor of a car which is known by its driver, the track explains that the only person who
knows his/her life is the one who lives it.
3. 1940: Life is just but a single opportunity which requires one to make choices and uplift themselves. 1940 is a reminder
that time waits for no one and should be used wisely.
4. Teererai: For a family to prosper, it is important to maintain as much cohesion, unity and togetherness as possible.
The voice heard in Teererai is that of a parent encouraging the family to be united and to be positively supportive of
each other in life with each member playing his/her part as an advisor and a voice of correction and reproof.
5. Baba Vasandi: In many households, children suffer psychologically as a result of quarrels between their parents.
This song is an appeal to husbands to respect the children and not always cause disharmony through regular quarrelling.
It is also an appeal to parents to spend quality time with their children regardless of their material wealth.
6. Amake Boyi: This is a cry from a husband who is pleading with his wife for everlasting love.
7. Muronda Tsimba: Some people do not appreciate original works of art and efforts put in by the artist.
This song advises those who enjoy thriving on other people’s ideas to be creative and come up with their own ideas instead.
Top
Magariro:
Magariro is Macheso’s debut album, which brought Macheso into the limelight. It is an album full of talent and it sets the scene for the success that Cheso Power enjoys today. It has a wide-ranging commentary in life both love and social.
1. Pakutema Munda: Success in life requires teamwork as one climbs up the ladder of success. The song laments the tendency by many to claim all the glory for the success of a team. It reminds everyone to remember that every team member plays a role in a team’s success. The ending is a small prayer to God to give people the courage and conscience to acknowledge a fellow team-member’s contribution.
2. Baba NaAmai: Due to a plethora of reasons, many families are now child-headed families. This is a request to one’s deceased parents to come and rescue the children who will have suffered several misfortunes. This call is made in the belief that the parents may feel pity and sort out the problems bedeviling the children left.
3. Gogogoi: Gogogoi is a coming back of a once lost---prodigal son. Because his family does not initially appreciate what he does, he disappears from the scene and returns when what he does starts bearing fruit. The son explains his wish to continue entertaining audience as he feels that is what he can do best.
4. Sarah: Spoilers are bound to be there in any relationship that will be thriving. Sarah is a victory song sung by the husband after overcoming a series of obstacles to be with his beloved one.
5. Kushungurudzwa: In some families, it is a fact that the children are left to fend for themselves and at the mercy of uncaring people. The track is a cry by the children to parents and other older family members to come to the children's rescue.
6. Mwana Wamai Vangu: It is true of many siblings that they may not get along in a family. This song depicts one family where one of the siblings
complains of ill-treatment from the other. After bottling the seething anger, it comes out in this track and it warns the ill-treating sibling to shun from such action.
Top
Vakiridzo:
This is the second album from Mberikwazvo hot on the heels of Magariro. It introduces a mature feeling as Macheso also sings in Chewa, his native language. This is through the song Kumudzi Kwatu. There is also a Rhumba track entitled Yave Tinomutenda.
1. Tariro: This is a piece of advice to couples to find amicable ways of solving their problem. Many a time couples resort to unethical ways of solving their problems and the track encourages dialogue between the two at all times.
2. Kumudzi Kwatu: Kumudzi Kwatu is a Chewa song that encourages everyone to make the most of his or her time on earth. It is an acknowledgement that one can go back and forth between one’s land of origin and their adopted homeland, places that may be far apart. However, everyone is then reminded that there is no coming back after one has died even if they may be close to their former home.
3. Shediah: It is true of many families that in-laws do not get along especially the mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law. This track exposes these differences as the mother-in-law ill-treats her daughter-in-law, Shediah, because she feels that her son is giving more attention to his new family. The voice heard is that of Shediah who decides to remain firm and does not want to leave despite her ill treatment, as she is interested in looking after her family.
4. Yave Tinomutenda: This is a thanksgiving track to the almighty for all the blessings that one has received.
5. Chitubu: In this track, everyone is advised to follow up on their ideas and work hard to make them a success despite the hardships that may be in the way.
6. Raramiro: The aids pandemic has caused the death of many parents leaving children on their own. This song is a prayer to the almighty asking for his guidance in leading the family left in the wake of such a tragedy. It also advises parents to look after their families to the best of their abilities.
Top
Simbaradzo:
Simbaradzo has proved to be the top-selling album not only for Macheso but also in Zimbabwe music history as it now has close to
400 000 units sold up to date. It was widely accepted by the people and its legend lives
today as many people still want to make it part of their collection. This album features the hit songs Amai VaRubhi and Mundike, another Chewa track that captivates his audience in live shows up to this day.
1. Amai VaRubhi: This is the voice of a husband advising his wife not to pay attention to external advice, as this is a cause of conflict. Instead, he encourages dialogue within the household.
2. Petunia: This song exposes how quick some people are in life to detract others and be stumbling blocks. Petunia is a song sung by a man who chronicles how he has managed to be with Petunia and how hard he worked for his wife.
3. Kunyarara Zvavo: In life, there are those who are quiet to hide their evil intentions. The song is a request for openness and candidness at all times.
4. Nguva: The death of a spouse sometimes heralds disagreements and a split as family members scramble for the deceased’s estate. Nguva is both a request and reminder that the deceased’s nuclear family should never be forgotten hence the need to be considerate in sharing the estate.
5. Kusekana Kwana Kamba: The song warns people against pointing fingers at others without a self-assessment.
6. Mundikumbuke: Many families have a step-parent looking after them. In most cases, the
step-parent is cruel and Mundikumbuke is a cry by a child in such a situation. The child cries for the deceased parent’s intervention because of ill-treatment faced at the hands of the
step-parents.
Top
Zvakanaka Zvakadaro:
By this time, Macheso was riding on the crest of a wave and
through Zvakanaka Zvakadaro; Macheso consolidated his position as King of
Sungura.
1. Monalisa: This is a celebratory song hailing the coming together of two in marriage. It recognises the work done by parents in grooming the children.
2. Chisoni: Life poses many challenges, as people sometimes are not willing to accept someone doing something differently. Chisoni advises that it is more profitable to work hard despite the obstacles.
3. Kumhanya Kuripo: The track speaks of children who are quick to blame parents and ill-treat them while the parents are still alive. It ends with a plea for forgiveness after misfortunes suffered and thought to be misfortunes caused by parents having died with anger.
4. Chara Chimwe: It is an old adage that one man does
not make a team. Chara Chimwe is a reminder to couples to remain together as it is usually difficult to look after children as a single parents.
5. Mwari Wenyasha: Mwari Wenyasha is a prayer for tolerance amongst all people. It encourages everyone not to size anyone up but to give an ear at all times and to everyone.
6. Zvimiro: The song advises people to be faithful and trustworthy at all times. This advice is mainly directed to couples because such behaviour as unfaithfulness may lead to a marriage being derailed.
Top
Zvido Zvenyu Kunyanya:
This is the preview on the CD and Cassette album: Another scorcher from Macheso, his fifth. This is an album that was worth the wait as Macheso continues to provide a salient social commentary on themes to do with life, love and family issues. Zvido Zvenyu Kunyanya is a six-track album that will bring happiness and smiles to the faces of Mberikwazvo's millions of fans both within and outside Zimbabwe who had experienced a one and a half year drought since Zvakanaka Zvakadaro. The long time was taken as Macheso, the King of Sungura and arguably the best bassist in Zimbabwe’s recent music history, polished and put final touches to yet another captivating album. The album is full of powerful lyrics wrapped in tunes that are bound to have everyone on their feet the whole time. To date Macheso’s four albums Magariro, Vakiridzo, Simbaradzo and Zvakanaka Zvakadaro, have done well on the market selling over
700 000 copies and this album is also set to break records. Simbaradzo currently stands as the best selling album
as it has sold over 300 000 copies so far. Those with the CD version will get two bonus tracks, Shediah and Kushungurudzwa from Macheso’s previous albums, Vakiridzo and Magariro respectively.
1. Madhawu: In life, it is usual to have someone you confide in and share secrets with as a friend. The voice heard in this track is that of regret coming from someone who thinks that he/she has a friend to share secrets with and discovers that it was a mistake to put confidence in such a friend as Madhawu because of Madhawu’s unfaithfulness.
2. Wemakonzo: When two people get married, sometimes the family does not approve of the marriage for economic reasons. The voice heard is of a woman who defies her family arguing that love should come before any monetary considerations. The woman even threatens to drink rat poison.
3. Kuhwereketa:It is a fact that one has both supporters and detractors. The best advice is not to listen to your detractors but concentrate on your life and what you can do best as this avoids unnecessary disagreement and wrangling.
4. Parudo: True love is always the best in a relationship. In this song, the voice warns against use of roots and herbs "mupfuhwira" to spruce up an affair.
5. Ziva Zvaunoda: Success in life comes about from having a clear mind and plan. It is therefore important for one not to always follow others instead of your original life-plan.
6. Charakupa: It is not often that someone is grateful to the powers above when blessed. This is a track advising everyone to be grateful for what they have and to share with those who are less fortunate.
Top
By Masimba Kuchera –Music Analyst
|
