This
site is designed for Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator versions
4 and above and a screen resolution of at least 800x600
|
|
|
Chembezi plays with Uhuru
By
Jack McBrams Chirwa - 27-05-2002 |
|
|
Prodigal son Saul Chembezi on Friday night reunited with his mentor Jai Banda and played with his former band Uhuru during the launch of the outfit’s latest album Ana Am’Malawi at Motel Paradise in Blantyre.
Chembezi joined the band on the stage to play Azisiya.
Revellers could be heard inquiring from friends whether this was indeed Chembezi.
It was a moment that brought back memories of the old Uhuru with Chembezi in the forefront.
In an interview later, Jai Banda said he had let Chembezi play alongside Uhuru because he wanted to show him that despite the fall out, there was no love lost.
“I just wanted to show him that I have no grudges against him so I let him play Azisiya,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the launch of new look Uhuru Band took off on a rusty note.
Leaning heavily on support of musical heavy weight Lucius Banda and his Zembani entourage, Uhuru looked set to make a mark despite a mild start.
And it was all because of lead vocalist and band leader Wyson ‘Pretty Boy’ Matola’s courage to take the crowd head on despite a lukewarm reception that things improved.
The poor reception was attributed to the fact that patrons were not familiar with music from the new album.
However, the Pretty Boy and Uhuru, immaculately dressed and engulfed in smoke as they entered the stage, played with hearts out and seemingly enjoying every bit of the act.
And what with the energetic Pretty Boy leaping all over the stage, changing what could otherwise have been a dull performance.
Then the moment came when Lucius Banda took to the stage.
The crowd, which had been sitting idle all along, suddenly came into life with Lucius’ M’bale Wanga.
And when he sang Tina, the frenzied crowd raided the dancefloor—and they could not be blamed for that— very few could have resisted.
In the absence of star San B, husky-voiced Wendy Harawa took over and played the ragga part so well in Lucius’ latest release Kennedy Wakwatira.
The show was also complemented by performances from Joseph Tembo, Emma Masauko, Andy Chikusa, Amina Tepa Tepa and the Balaka duo, Mac Mie and Henry Nlashi. |
|
|
|
|
|
