By CATHRINE MTHOMBENI
THE history of the Zimbabwean music would be vague without
mention of the late legendary Fanyana Dube who was popularly known by multitudes of fans as Isiqholo saseZhowane.
Although the blind singer passed on in 2004, many will
forever miss his music because he proved that disability is not inability
through his music, which won the hearts of many Afro Jazz music lovers.
Not only was he good at singing but was
also a talented guitar strummer, composer and saxophonist. This is evident in
his latest album dubbed Last Essential Rhythms, which was recorded at Takks Studios in Johannesburg
with the help of pre-recording logistics that were offered by promoters Alfred Ncube, Densen Kulube and Thamani Ndlovu.
In this 10-track offering, Dube
makes use of his linguistic skills to cater for all Zimbabweans, by recording
in SiNdebele, Shona and Kalanga.
Dube’s aim, whenever he recorded
his music, was to cater for different tribal groups and this is the reason why
his jams were popular among music lovers, Kulube, one
of his producers said.
“In the album there are various tracks like BuKalanga, Zvipo Zvakasiyana and Hamba Kholiwe because Fanyana Dube was supported by fans of various tribal groups such
that in all his albums he catered for their needs.
“In this album there are new tracks as well as some golden
oldies like the traditional track BuKalanga, which
was famed by traditional contemporary musician, Owen Ndlovu.
The track reminds people to visit their rural homes, emakhaya.
This was one of his favourite tracks because he
himself loved his home area.
“This is the reason why some people called him Isiqholo SeZhowane, due to the
stubborn resistance to settler rule by the Zhowane
people in Tsholotsho. Even during his last days, when
he was admitted at Bulawayo Central Hospital, he emphasised to us that when he died he wanted to be buried
at his home area in Tsholotsho,’’ added Kulube.
Kulube told Sunday Leisure that
when Dube passed away at around 1am on 4 November
2004, only a few weeks had passed after he had recorded the latest
offering in South Africa.
He died at the age of 58, having started music at a very
tender age.
“He recorded this album in South
Africa and he died two weeks after
completing the recording. Ever since then we have been panelbeating
the album and we decided to release the essential jams this year,’’ he said.
At the time of his death Dube was
still debating the title of the album with his producers, until he died before
naming the new release.
“We dubbed the album as Last Essential Rhythms, without his
consent, the reason being that it is the last and important offering that he
left for his listeners and he will be surely missed by many music lovers,’’ Kulube emphasised.
Kulube added that although this
was the last album by Dube, the legend’s music will
forever be recorded and released as he had written a number of tracks that are
yet to be released by his surviving group members.
“The advantage to music lovers is that Fanyana
has unreleased tracks like the late pop diva, Brenda Fassie,
and the late reggae legend, Bob Marley. For example he was a supporter of
Highlanders and we wrote a track in dedication to the players but it is yet to
be released,’’ the producer said.
Some of the tracks from the veteran musician include Zvipo Zvakasiyana, Jelasi Ndeyeni, Masithole, Umsindisi, Ngamemeza and Ekhaya Bayala.
The album, which features tracks on various social issues,
is testimony to the down-to-earth nature of Dube.
From songs like Umsindisi, a gospel track, which is about the wonders of God to Zvipo
Zvakasiyana, a song that explains the differences and
importance of gifts that the Lord has given each one of us and BuKalanga the traditional chorus, who would dare compare Dube to modern day musicians.
Fanyana Dube
started his carrier when he joined the Jairos Jiri Sunrise Kwela Kings band as a lead guitarist before
leaving the group in 1974 to join the Elbow.
In 1979 he joined the Jobs Combination in Harare
as a saxophonist and seven years later, in 1986, became the lead singer with
his backing group, The Champ.
It was through the Jobs Combination that Dube
rocked the local charts together with another leading exponent of Ndebele
music, Lovemore “Majaivana’’
Tshuma.
Magee, as Tshuma is affectionately
known, was actually Christened Majaivana by Dube, who was the group's songwriter.
Among his many hit songs of yesteryear are Imali (money) and Ekhaya (home).
Dube once played with the likes of
Zexie Manatsa and his first
performance was at Stanley Square,
Makokoba, in Bulawayo.
He gave up music and went to work in Victoria Falls as a
switchboard operator before teaming up with Majaivana
in 1978.
As Jobs Combination they released Isitimela
in 1982.
At one time Dube went quiet in Mutare until he resurfaced with Qoki,
an album that was produced by dub poet, Albert Nyathi.
This is the veteran’s last essential album and although
music lovers will miss his face with his trademark dark glasses, his music will
live forever.
1/22/06
Source: http://www.sundaynews.co.zw
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