One of Zimbabwe’s most celebrated musicians, Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana, on Monday launched her debut album.
Katomeni-Mbofana is known for her superb live performances. She sings deep from the heart.
Prior to her debut album her petulant vocal talents brought her to the limelight as she worked with top Zimbabwean artists The Cool Crooners, Clive Malunga, Tanga wekwaSando and Jazz Invitation.
Titled Prudence, the album is diverse and a great listen. With this work, the songstress asserts her own unique and strong musical identity.
The album showcases her versatility, creativity and innovativeness. Most of the songs on the album were composed, arranged and performed by Katomeni-Mbofana.
Prudence is a varied album; every song is different in terms of vibe, bassline and musical arrangement.
The song that will probably touch the hearts of many is Baba Bhoyi, a track that was composed and given to her by Robert Mantenga of the Mandebvu fame. The song has an authentic township feel and it gives one an incredible sense of nostalgia.
Stronger is a well arranged cool tune with fantastic vocals combined with great instrumentation. The track Dzidza has some unmistakable jazz influences with sweet harmonies and fantastic keyboard solos.
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Mayayarira is a call to party. The title is street language that means “there is a festivity in the vicinity”. It is a fun song with outstanding keyboards and a brass section taken care of by veterans Philip Svosve and Aaron Yafele.
The track Bhuku is a lovely song with jazzy vocals; it is a love story with beautiful lyrics about life and couples never breaking up. The tune combines a well-timed piano, flute and guitars to create a fantastic sound.
She throws in a surprise with a reggae feel in the song Emancipation. The song combines a solid bassline with a jazzy piano sound.
“The reggae influence came from my late father. We always had music all around us as he was a great fan of the genre. That inspired me to do Emancipation,” said Katomeni-Mbofana in an interview recently.
The album also carries Anenge, a track on which she plays mbira for an arrangement that combines excellent percussion by Strovas Shadai as well as some guitar work.
