Published by the government of Zimbabwe
9 October 2007
Harare — Benedict Chagumuka, the son of the late Chimurenga musician Robbie Chagumuka who died last year, has released his debut album, titled Mwachewe Wandiona.
The six-track album features two tracks done by his late father, one of which is the song Ngoma Kurira taken off the late musician's 1999 release Magariro. While the album is Benedict's first, his voice and deep Chimurenga vibes are reminiscent of his late father's, something that Sulumane Chimbetu has also achieved with effortless ease.
No wonder Benedict dedicates the album to his father and all the other departed 'Gwenyambiras'. The opening track, Dembare - that has been receiving airplay on radio since the album was released - is a party song celebrating the achievements of Dynamos Football Club. How the young musician manages to control his voice on the song and blends it well with the fast-paced traditional Chimurenga beat makes the song a favourite of many, especially Dynamos fans. Ndini Roza is an adaptation of the popular folk tale about Roza, a talented young singer with a beautiful voice who is taken advantage of by Jimu. Robbie first did the track on his last album that was never released but remixed by Benedict who added his voice to the vocals to alternate with his father's.
Misodzi mourns the death of talented musicians such as Robbie, Simon Chimbetu, Biggie Tembo and James Chimombe. Mangoma is a song with a simple message calling upon people to celebrate life, Ngoma Kuririra goes the traditional gospel way. The last track is an instrumental to Misodzi. The album was recorded at Track Records while Records and Tape Promotions are marketing and distributing it.
Born on August 19, 1984 at St Alberts in Mashonaland Central province, Benedict is the second child in a family of eight.
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