Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Trust Khosa
9 May 2009
Harare — CLIVE "Mono" Mukundu's longtime friendship with South Africa-based Louis Mhlanga, Isaac Chirwa and Bob Nyabinde has resulted in an impressive 10-track collaboration CD.
Titled Zivai Zvekuchema, the album has intricate guitar works.
Message-wise, the album brilliantly tackles serious issues haunting contemporary societies ranging from greedy, hate, jealousy and love.
Let It Go is arguably the most outstanding track on this album owing to its infectious ballads and overall arrangement exhibited by Chirwa.
And Louis' magical touch is strongly felt once again on this track as he played with the similar passion and skill he exhibited on his all time classic Distant Lover, now a signature tune at Mai Chisamba Show.
The tempo slows down in the follow-up track Mushonga that takes a swipe at rape, child abuse and violence.
On this track, saxophonist Sam Mtukudzi and backing vocalist Welly Pelo had had their input.
The quartet further showed their generosity in this album as they went on to engage more names on this album.
Former Afrika Revenge frontman Taz Mehlui featured on the track Suka while unheralded but gifted crooner Eddie Chinyunyu featured on two songs -- Rovha and the title track Zivai Zvekuchema.
Nyabinde despite keeping a low profile nowadays, proved his mettle as a complete artiste in the track Handishore.
As expected, Nyabinde intelligently affirmed his role as a true social evangelist with his explicit lyrics preaching the eternal gospel of morality and love.
The quartet preaches the gospel of love among nations in the track Xenophobia that exhorts people live in harmony.
Mono said the track was inspired by the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa that resulted in some Africans in the sub-region being killed in the shameful attacks.
Despite the track being laid back and mellower, it is also full of emotion from start to finish.
Mono added some rock and blues elements on this song that percolates to the borne while simultaneous making the track more and more infectious.
Revered producer Peter Mparutsa also gave a hand on this song making the entire album well-knit effort considering the BIG brains behind the song.
The follow-up track, Be Your Self, is another superior tune that further slows to a walking pace.
He closes this album with a leisurely paced track Zimbabweremabwe.
As the name suggests, the song celebrates being wholly Zimbabwean.
All in all, the collaboration does exhibit talent, skill and experience. And theirs is like the proverbial wine that matures with age.
Precisely, there are no fillers on this album as the gurus took their time putting together this album capable of fetching better sales both locally and even beyond. It was recorded at Monolio Studios owned by Mono.
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i am very glad that zim artists work with s.a artists.keep it up guys.
i am a lady looking for a contract with isaac chirwa as some people encopuraged me to work with him.i promise to work very hard to the top if he becomes my producer. please help me to take zimbabwe by storm in gospel industry so far i have at least 25 composed tracks that havent been recorded. i beg u pliz help me