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‘’Gunship’’ sleeve

Sophia Chese Arts Correspondent
It was a night of excitement as scores of people from different backgrounds thronged Maestro restaurant in Highlands on Wednesday as Dendera musician Sulumani Chimbetu launched his much-awaited fifth album “Gunship (Fireguard)”.

Among the people who graced the event were fellow artists Dr Oliver Mtukudzi who was the guest of honour and wife Daisy , Allan Chimbetu, Somandla Ndebele, Kireni Zulu, Diana Samkange, Edith WeUtonga, Clare Nyakujara, actor Nash Phepo, music promoter Partson ‘‘Chipaz’’ Chimbodza and businessman Philip Chiyangwa among others

Sulu who has re-branded to ‘‘Captain Sulu’’ went on stage to perform some of the songs on the album around 9pm.

He played songs including “Nyuchi” which he features Zimdancehall chanter Soul Jah Love who failed to turn up for the show.

Sulu imitated Soul Jah Love voice much to the delight of the audience.

The other songs which was well received was “Phone” but “Idah Nhoro” which features Mtukudzi will overally be the people’s favourite.

People screamed and cheered up as Tuku joined Sulu on stage. This was the major highlight of the show as other musicians including Kireni Zulu and Somandla Ndebele also joined them on stage.

The audience joined in dancing and others asked for more.

If what happened at the launch is anything to go by then it might be that the Dendera musician could have struck the right chords.

What they said at the launch.

Sulu

“I am relieved from the pressure that I was getting from my fans and what is left is for them to tell if I had given them what they were anxiously waiting for,”

Allan

“Anyone who comes through my hands will definitely make it, my hands are blessed and so is who comes from them, Sulu has siblings who also came through these hands and people are going to see that truly the hands are blessed.”

Linda Chimbetu (Sulu’s wife)

“I knew he will make it because he does not love music but music loves him

Oliver Mtukudzi

“Piracy humbavha. . . and anyone who is doing it must stop it”

Kireni Zulu

“People might say Sulu has delayed releasing an album but the truth is piracy is letting us down, if it was possible they were going to take this CD and put his father’s name. I am saying this because I was once in the same situation where I saw a CD in the streets with my name and face and I bought it only to discover it has Paul Mataire’s music,”

Meanwhile, Sulu will have his public launch at Mushandirapamwe Hotel tonight when he shares the stage with Afrika Revenge.

It would be his first show since he released the album and the musician’s publicist Joe “Local” Nyamungoma said it they would take the new release to their fans at the show.

“Mushandirapamwe has been the home of dendera music for a long time. We do our rehearsals at the venue and it carries important memories for dendera since Simon and Naison Chimbetu made the place their base for a long time in the prime days of Marxist Brothers,” said Nyamungoma.

“What we had on Wednesday was a private launch for our partners and Mushandirapamwe show will be open to the public.”

Other songs on the new album include “Moto”, “Chirongo”, “Hondo” and “Benson”