DENDERA exponent Sulumani Chimbetu will tonight launch his fourth album titled Syllabus at Jazz 105. ENTERTAINMENT REPORTERS
According to Sulu, the eight-track album is a journey through the history of his family and dendera music. He said the album will be of importance to a host of youngsters who have sought to pursue and appreciate the genre.
“People are now studying dendera, modifying and developing it. It is not just the Chimbetu family playing dendera music anymore – there are many now, including young urban groovers. So I have put together a syllabus for them to learn from,” said Sulu.
He said he received spiritual guidance from his late father through dreams and he saw the album as an opportunity to share the dendera history with others.
The musician claims he had to go to the studio on the eleventh hour to add a track titled Nesu to the album because he had seen a vision that obliged him to do the song.
“We had finished the album, but last Saturday I saw a vision that compelled me to do another track. The song Nesu is a plea for divine intervention in whatever we do. I was shown the challenges that I will face in this industry and this song is my prayer for victory,” said Sulu.
After seeing the vision, Sulu phoned three of his key band members and went to the studio to record the song.
“The song will be a surprise to my management and most band members because they did not know about it. We did not rehearse it at shows because it came at the last minute.”
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Earlier this year, Sulu collaborated with rising musician Shinso for the song Minana which became an instant hit.
“I want to inspire urban grooves musicians to use live instruments,” he said.
“I fear that most of the talent in urban grooves will not blossom as long as they use backtracks and computers to create their music. Zimbabwe is a live music nation and I do not see that changing anytime soon.”
This year brought a number of commendable achievements for Sulu that include launching his website, medical aid for his band and holding a memorial gala for his late father.
Since the start of his career, Sulu has released three albums Ndomusiya Nani, Reverse Deal and Non Stop. The new offering contains tracks like Njiva, Nhambarakishoni, Sean Timba, Kateteriyeni, Young Man, Ndoga, Njiva (instrumental) and Nesu.
As has become the tradition, Sulu featured another prominent artist on the album Jah Prayzah, who lent his voice on Sean Timba after engaging superstar Oliver Mtukudzi on the previous album.
The launch is scheduled to start this morning with an awareness road show to help market the new album.
A convoy of limousines and top-of-the- range vehicles will pass through the CBD before heading to Mbare and Highfield, among other suburbs.
