Old Hararians Sports Club will tonight host Oliver Mtukudzi and The Black Spirits, who returned home on Sunday from a successful five-week tour of the United States.

It is the first time that The Black Spirits will be performing at the club, which is associated more with athletic games than with night-long revelry.

"We have made thorough preparations for the show, which we think will go a long way in proving the effectiveness of sports clubs hosting musical shows," said Stanley Manyaya, the promoter of the gala.

He said they had wanted to host the big gig at the Andy Millar Hall at the Exhibition Park (formerly Harare Showgrounds), but it was booked for exams.

Manyaya said: "Usually, we hold our shows at Andy Millar Hall but this time there are exams going on and we had to switch the show to Old Hararians."

Mtukudzi, away from home for almost seven weeks, is set to receive a thunderous reception from his fans, who were starved of his music during his absence.

It is a perfect homecoming for the talented showman who has just succeeded in marketing his new album, Vhunze Moto, in the United Kingdom and the US.

After its release in late February, Vhunze Moto got off a to a slow start but has since shot to the top of sales in almost every record marketing company.

During his tour, Tuku, as he is called in musical circles, put up impressive performances at various venues, including the New Orleans jazz festival where he performed before 500 000 people.

He shared the stage with Bonnie Raitt, who performed his delightful tune, Hear Me Lord. Mtukudzi will be supported by the Four Brothers act which has regained its poise after the death of band leader, Marshal Munhumumwe, who died in October, 2001.

The Four Brothers have been superlative in the shows they have held so far. To many, it is as if Munhumumwe is still alive because they are still performing their early hits with the same gusto they exhibited when the cheerful vocalist was fronting the group.

Nothing much has changed in their act, which is entertainment value-for-money.