Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Martin Kadzere
25 October 2008
Harare — JUST when it seemed talented rhythm guitarist Innocent Mjintu was down and out of the music scene, a well-wisher has come to his rescue.
The former Barura Express and Orchestra Mberikwazvo guitarist has resumed live shows and is also in the middle of recording his third album "Ngoma yeZare", which will carry seven tracks.
The album is being recorded at Gramma and Mjintu, the only surviving band member of Barura Express led by the late veteran musician Leonard Dembo, says he will also shoot a video album in the Middle East business and resort hub of Dubai before year end.
Although he started with Dembo, Mjintu rose to stardom under Alick Macheso's Orchestra Mberikwazvo, where his role in the song "Charakupa" made him highly popular with sungura (museve) followers.
He, however, left Orchestra Mberikwazvo last year after recording a solo album without informing Macheso.
The solo career failed dismally and Mjintu was already destined for the music junkyard before Numerage Investments came to his rescue.
"The general economic situation in the country really affected our group such that we reached a point of stopping live shows and it affected our revenues.
"Obviously with a limited revenue base, things got tougher.
"We were not active on the local music scene and the future of the group looked bleak.
"But the most encouraging factor was that all group members remained focused," explained Mjintu.
He, however, dismissed reports that he was on the verge of abandoning his band, Zare, to join other established artistes.
"I read in newspapers that I was considering joining other groups, but those were mere rumours.
'If you are in a problem, then a certain story may be attached to your problem and if it spreads, everyone will ends up believing it.
"My wish, although we had our own problems as a group, was to ensure that my project did not collapse.
"However, things turned bright when we were approached by Numerage Investments, a local company that was willing to promote us. I told the directors of challenges that the band was facing.
"The company gave us the immediate assistance that we required to revive the group. Our promoter did a sterling job. There is now a difference from the level we were before.
"We are getting a good helping hand. We now have a new set of instruments and a vehicle. The welfare of group members has really improved," he said.
Meanwhile, critics believe Mjintu, who is blessed with guitar-playing skills, has a "terrible voice" and of late he has been letting other band members do the vocals.
And to spice up his live shows, Mjintu sometimes takes fans down memory lane by playing cover versions of the late Dembo's popular songs.
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.
