Reincarnation of Rusike Brothers
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The Rusike Brothers

Fred Zindi Music Column
This was, in every way, a big show. Three bands in one venue: The Runn Family comprising the Muparutsa Brothers, The Rusike Brothers and Jazz Invitation.
The show, obviously designed for venues larger than the 120 to 150-capacity Book Cafe should have been given better publicity. The show took off with Jazz Invitation comprising Kelly Rusike on bass, Silent Mhendera on guitar, Ishe on keyboards and David Bekoe on drums with a set-list comprising hit after hit. From traditional tunes to jazzy numbers, Jazz Invitation delivered a refreshingly unpredictable and exuberant show.

They played some familiar and some not so  familiar but dance tunes, which included “Tsoka”, “Solitude”, “Zvandinetsa”, “Linda” and their own rendition of the traditional “Dzinonwa Muna Zambez”. The atmosphere was electric, and these back-to-the-disco ravers gave the gig a clubby uplift. One member of the crowd murmured, “Uyo ndiMacheso weChirungu” (That one is a white Macheso) referring to Kelly Rusike who belted a heart stomping bass line that could stop an elephant in its tracks. During their set, Jazz Invitation was livened up by the gimmicks of Albert Nyathi, who after downing a couple of  lagers, plucked enough courage to jump onto the stage, gyrating his hips from left to right and reciting poetic words about colonialism from 1890 to 1980. Something to that effect!

Next, came The Runn Family Band featuring Peter Muparutsa on bass and vocals, Carlton Muparutsa on backing vocals, Victor Muparutsa, Peter’s son, on keyboards, Blessing Muparutsa on drums and Jerry Muparutsa on guitar.

They opened the show with two familiar tunes, “Hatichina weKutamba Naye”  and “Moyo Muti”. The crowd which had remained stoic during the Jazz Invitation gig went into a frenzy and were soon up on their feet. Peter went on to sing “Echo of A Child’s Anthem” from his new album showing off his vocal prowess. With an excellent five-piece band behind him doing the legwork, Peter did not even have to move much to elicit hormonal roars. He merely draped himself on the microphone stand, and his crooning  half-shut eyes did the trick. His high quality voice reached where countless young soul-pop and sungura pretenders haven’t been before as it possessed an unvarnished, slightly unhinged quality all of its own. The Runn Family’s set, was indeed impressive.

Since this band hails from Mutare, they find it difficult to do a show in Harare without paying their respects to the city that reared them into manhood. So, this weekend, Peter and the gang will re-launch their album at the Mutare Golf Club from 5 pm

Finally, the Rusike Brothers: Tawanda Rusike, Abbie Rusike, Phillip Rusike, all on vocals and Kelly Rusike (again), showing unity of purpose  with help from Joseph on drums and Ishe on keyboards, came on stage with a bang.  Twenty five years on, they still looked the same. Tawanda who was covering his bald patch with a baseball cap, danced across the stage in his jeans, bright shirt and tackies. Tonight he looked more like an exuberant young pop star.

Twenty years ago, I remember writing, and I quote: “The Rusike Brothers will still be doing what they are doing now when they are well into their fifties.”  I am not a prophet, but that prediction came true on this Saturday night. As the classics rolled out, their once-futuristic chrome sheen still untarnished, they treated us to their first single, “Saturday Night” followed  by songs which were in the pop charts of the 1980’s such as Simon and Garfunkel’s  “Cecilia”, “The Real Thing’s”, “You To Me Are Everything” and Michael Jackson’s “Shake Your Body To The Ground”. Each song was punctuated with some wicked dance routines and soon beads of perspiration began to pour down their cheeks.

Not to be outdone, one punter from the audience, Tendai Chidarikire, aka Sasa, who could not resist the well choreographed dance moves the Rusikes were dishing out during the Michael Jackson song, decided to also jump onto the stage to show off his own interpretation of “Shake Your Body To The Ground”. He started off by showcasing his seductive dance moves which signalled a display of “baby come and get me” followed by “baby let’s go” moves and finally Jackson’s moonwalk. The crowd applauded! After four songs, the Rusike Brothers ran out of steam. They called Tawanda’s son, Kurt, to come on stage to do a couple of tunes before they were back again with the all too familiar “Ngwerewere Sadza”. To everybody it was “Ngwerewere Sadza” sing-along  and before long, the show was  over  before midnight.

One punter who obviously wanted more, was overheard complaining, “ Haa come on guys!, three bands and they have  all run out of songs before midnight? That’s a rip-off!”
Some music promoter in Slovakia recently visited the social media platform YouTube and saw The Rusike Brothers doing their thing. He was impressed. He called Zimbabwe to find out how he could get in touch with the group. As we speak now, the Rusikes are on a  two week tour in Slovakia where the three brothers have teamed up with their prodigal brother, Kelly of Jazz Invitation, Jose on drums, Kurt Rusike on vocals  and Ishe on keyboards to showcase to the rest of the Czech Republic and Slovakia what the promoter saw and liked. Missing from the original team is Colin, who went to the U.K. some 20 years ago and has not been heard of since.

The Rusike Brothers, a family band was formed in 1978 in Lusaka, Zambia. The Rusikes had moved from Zimbabwe to Zambia in 1965 during the liberation struggle. Their father, simply known as ABC, was a teacher and journalist in the then Rhodesia. When he found it difficult to continue to write freely in an oppressive country, the senior Rusike relocated with his family to Zambia, which had just attained its independence from Britain. The boys were aged between three and 12 at the time. Kelly and Colin, the twins in the family, were only three years old at the time of their move to Zambia.

The siblings, Tawanda, Abbie, Kelly, Philip and Colin, with the influence of their father became Southern Africa’s answer to the Jackson Five. Most of their early music was influenced by the Jacksons and their dancing routines were modelled around top Black American pop acts of the 1970s. They performed in front of large audiences in Zambia.

In 1980 when Zimbabwe attained independence the family packed their bags and returned to the newly independent Zimbabwe where they were an instant hit with “Saturday Night” their debut single. A follow up “Club Soca” single did not make a big impression on the market.

With an aggressive push from ABC,  who was also their manager, they were given several advertising jobs. These included voice-overs on the Post Office Savings Bank advertisement, Roller Meal videos, Merlins linen, newspaper and video advertisements. The most popular advertisement they ever did was “Ngwerewere Sadza” which advertises Ngwerewere mealie-meal, Zimbabwe’s staple food.

Two singles were released between 1981 and 1985 and despite this seemingly lack of progress in the recording business, the Rusikes made a lot of business in the top night clubs of Harare and Bulawayo. They also made a great impact at live shows. In 1982, the Rusike Brothers were the supporting act for a reggae group from England, ASWAD, when they toured Zimbabwe. In 1988 their debut album “Rhythm of My Heart” was released. This included their hit single, “Cecilia”, a version of the same song by Simon and Garfunkel. Their single featured on the local station Radio 3’s Hit Pick for 12 weeks.

Towards the end of 1990 the Rusikes were the main support act for Randy Crawford’s show in Harare.

In 1992, they toured England, but due to poor planning on the part of their Malawian promoter, Jeff Macadam, their trip did not make a big impact overseas. The Rusikes became Zimbabwe’s top family group which stayed together for a long time as performers. It was also the Rusikes who started off artistes such as the now internationally acclaimed Rozalla Miller whose hit single, “Everybody is Free to Feel Good” wowed the world a few years ago. In 1995 they recorded an album that included a version of the Paul Simon classic and hit song, “If You Really Need Me”.

It is now a question of wait and see before we know what the future holds for the Rusikes!

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