FOLLOWING one’s passion has often been regarded as extremism.And that may probably have been the case for Emmanuel Makokowe.
SILENCE CHARUMBIRA ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER
The United Kingdom-based Zimbabwean had to travel across the two continents all for the love of music.
Not that his wealth is hefty, but because he has a passion to satiate.
Makokowe whose love stems from seeing his cousins Charles and Pius playing initially with Acid Band together with Thomas Mapfumo before the formation of the Blacks Unlimited Band, appears to have revived what he saw those decades ago.
Now ambition has driven the artiste to fly back into the country to revive his love for music.
“I went to Europe a decade ago and I am now based in the United Kingdom where I am currently studying Events Management at the University College of Birmingham. This album is my way of reviving the dream I have always had,” said Makokowe.
But the musician has taken a different route altogether getting into soulful music with a touch of funk.
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The musician is backed by Pah Chihera on the first two tracks Murume Wangu and Molly, but unfortunately the soulful diva appears to be on the tracks by mistake.
Her unmistakable voice is nowhere to be found in the tracks which is a huge disappointment for some that may have expected another sizzling vocal projection.
It is Makokowe, however, who comes in with some interesting projections with a voice that can easily be turned away from a recording studio. While Murume Wangu is a refreshing sound, it is overwhelmed by digital instruments.
The second track Molly even with the fusion of digital and live instruments does remind the listener of the old Zimbabwean sounds and presents some creativity that deserves top marks.
Just when one expects it to be a flat track, it carries a jig and all of a sudden gives the track a jiti feel by the remarkable whining lead guitar. Muka Jona is a gospel track that follows the known mellow beat riding on a reggae beat.
The mellow beats continue on the fourth track Zuva Rangu, another gospel track who rhythm is also reggae-generated.
Shanje is a different track that dwells on the setting of a possessive husband backed by a pop beat while the last track Dayi carries an Afro beat laden with the mbira other African instruments.
Interestingly, the arrangement of the track could easily make it the best track on the album yet it is relegated to the bottom order.
The other tracks on the album are instrumentals for Muka Jona and Zuva Rangu Muponesi.
