Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Richmore Tera
12 July 2008
Harare — PROLIFIC music producer Tatenda Jenami - better known as Take 5 - who has been on a two-year odyssey of the Southern Africa region acquainting - has made a resounding comeback on home soil.
Take 5 recently finished working on The Take 5 Revolution, an explosive 13-track project featuring some of the cream of Zimbabwean hip-hop and urban fusion.
As its title suggests, the album is poised to revolutionise the local urban contemporary movement with its universal vibes.
That Take 5's stint with Jah Seed of top South African reggae/pop outfit Bongo Muffin paid dividends towards his refinement is evident on The Revolution where the sound is pristine, as if cooked in a South African - let alone American - musical pot.
"I worked as a producer with Jah Seed in South Africa last year as part of the production team for his latest solo album. It was an eye opening experience for me. I eventually met up with Oskido and Brikz who offered me tips on how good music is done," he said.
With his musical mind overflowing with the knowledge he had gleaned, Take 5 finally returned home with new perspectives on how music production was "actually a job" and also how musicians in South Africa commanded great respect.
From South Africa, the producer - whose curriculum vitae boasts producing groundbreaking hits such as Roki's Suzanna, Maskiri's Dhara Rangu, Zverudo and Zimhamha, Extra Large's Uri Roja and Ndinoimba by Ngoni Kambarami - eventually set off for Angola.
"While there I produced an album by one of the country's talented hip hoppers and also used the opportunity to tour their recording studios," he said.
"I came back home in January. Since I had not produced anything in over two years I decided to come up with The Take 5 Revolution because urban grooves has been on a standstill.
"I wanted something that will change the sounds. Yakawanda music yacho iri muno ndeyekudanana muri pamubhedha (much of the music that is produced is about bedroom issues," he said.
The Revolution is a mixed bag, a melting pot of everything for every listener.
Track one, Throwback of What Seems Lyk a Decade is a recap of the many songs that Take 5 produced during his career.
Kev's Baby Don't Go goes the Joe Thomas way in its tear-evoking feeling full of pleading for lost love.
Twuma Hoti Hoti by Alexio is a reggae track relating dancehall and party life and if he maintains that refined voice Alexio is set to go places.
One cannot help but laugh at the humour in the interlude Tokoloshi, which leads to the title track on the album, Revolution by Mafriq.
On a reggae/rave tip, the tune is a cry for freedom: "Set me free, let me go."
Kim's Hondo is a converse to Revolution and in it the musician laments the sanguinary aspect of war. The meaning can also be interpreted to mean HIV/ Aids.
"Hondo iwe, wadirei kutitambudza iwe/ Mai watora iwe/Todini Samatenga?"
Stunner's Zvinhu 10 heaps all the praises on the beauty of a girl and on it the musician comes up with a love 'decalogue' that undoubtedly leaves every woman smiling.
Icey T reminds the listener of MC Hammer with his track Ice while Nesto goes Kwaito in Inumbayami. The album, co-produced by Take 5 and Grace Jenami, was recorded at Studio Revolution Harare and MJ Studio and is being marketed and distributed by Metro Studios.
"Two more albums - The Rebelution and another - are coming after this one.
"I want Zimbabwe to be proud of their music and stop promoting what's not theirs," said Take 5.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 The Herald. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
