Tuku and Macheso In UK Today, Leeds, Leicester
29 July 2016
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By Ezra Tshisa Sibanda

Call this tour the clash of the titans, name it Zimbabwe’s Gallaticos or simply think of it as Home Away From Home, this is a tour dubbed Tuku-Macheso Reloaded. It’s not called Reloaded for nothing, it’s a packed fun filled joint.

UK revellers will welcome Oliver Mtukudzi and Alick Macheso in great anticipation of the launch of the most talked about hot sizzling albums by the two giants. Leicester on Saturday the 30th of July 2016 is the place to be and music fans can’t wait.

The two artists are also involved with a lot of humanitarian work, Mtukudzi is UNICEF Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Eastern and Southern Africa, focusing on young people’s development, and HIV and AIDS prevention while Alick Macheso is Humanitarian ambassador for Red Cross so it’s a privilege to have them performing together in UK.

The most sought after Zim artists are geared up to give UK fans some memorable performances, they always have the energy, full of life and both coordinate well with their vocals, guitarists and backing vocalists.

They have never disappointed and are always flawless.

Mtukudzi who is yet to launch his album after the scheduled Africa Day Launch has decided to launch his new album in Leicester, in front of his UK fans.

The album is titled “Ehe Nhai Yahwe” and has 10 tracks which will blow your mind out, it’s another smashing Tuku album. Singer, songwriter and instrumentalist, Oliver Mtukudzi is a maverick in the folk music world.

By turns, he picks his unmistakable acoustic guitar to accompany an ancient ballad, sings a witty song about modern life, plays a sweet African melody on guitar, swings a hot jazz number, and then reaches deep for a soulful expression of values in a troubled world. He tops it all with a fiddle tune or Tozeza Baba, a family song, all skilfully blended into a seamless flow.

One fan said last year when Tuku was here in UK “Its music from the heart that hits you right between the eyes.” The good news he is back again in UK for another tantalising performance with Macheso.

It’s hard to imagine another artist on the folk scene who combines the same concise, deceptively understated, lyrical insight and sometimes devastating wit with such world-class instrumental prowess. It’s not just a wealth of musical styles or his smooth and expressive voice that have made ‘’Watitsvata’’ hit maker such a fine artist.

His songs, which range from thoughtful to silly to poetic, show that he knows his way around the Zimbabwean and African culture just as well as he knows his way around a fretboard. Tuku who will perform in Finland on Friday 29 July 2016 before his joint show with Macheso in Leicester on Saturday said;

“It’s always a pleasure to perform with Alick Macheso who is currently on top of his game and UK fans are in for a great treat, “we will do what we always do, entertain them and we know most of these gigs are nostalgic to them’’. ‘

’l will take them down memory lane and also play songs from my latest Album which I will be launching on the same night’’. The launch will also see the album released on the same weekend in Zimbabwe while its launch in Zim is expected later in the year. Tuku went on to add ‘’to my fans, our bond is beyond politics and unhealthy rhetoric. I appreciate every single one of you and God bless you’’

Zimbabwe Sungura music guru Alick Macheso has once again sent the nation talking, proving that he is not a spent force after all with his fascinating new album. At one time his career had taken a deep plunge, but Macheso seems to have struck the right chord following the release of his album Tsoka Dzerwendo.

The six-track album, which was released early this year, has become a hit with most songs currently rocking national radio and booming in public transport, shops, bars and high-density suburbs. Tsoka Dzerwendo sold close to 100 000 copies on the first day of its release, which was followed by a massive album launch at Harare International Conference Centre four days later.

Since then, Macheso has regained his mojo, earning accolades as one of the most sought-after musicians. Orchestra Mberikwazvo members are now enjoying themselves with the rejuvenated Macheso getting their full salaries every week and smiling all the way to the bank.

Macheso’s live shows have been boosted by the return of lead guitarist Noel Nyazanda, chanter Jonas Kasamba and drummer Obert Gomba, who had moved away from Orchestra Mberikwazvo alongside dancer Franco “Slomo” Dhaka to form their own outfit Extra Kwazvose. Apart from the trio, Macheso also welcomed prodigal son Donald Gogo, who had walked out of Orchestra Mberikwazvo over a salary dispute.

In a telephone interview with Macheso live from his home town of Chitungizwa, the Sungura maestro said ‘’while l entertain people which is what I was born to do, l also help the needy by donating some of the proceeds I realise from gigs and album sales”. He went on to thank music fans from all over the world for the for the support they give him in appreciating his music.

He went on to say ‘’UK is like a home to me, the fans are absolutely amazing, they sing along to my music and it gives me so much strength to go crazy on stage, ‘’I am promising fireworks playing my new songs from my Album and some old classic hits, kana ndina Mudhara Tuku unoziva kunenge kwaipa” He confirmed they will also do duets together on stage.

A spokesperson for the promoters Icons of Africa and Phab Entertainment, Miss Yvonne Mashonganyika said ‘’ The new albums from the 2 Zim Icons will be available for sale during the tour and tickets for the Leicester Show are now out and available at the usual ticket outlets’’.

Mashonganyika also added “plenty of surprises on the night and some lucky fans will win cash or holiday vouchers courtesy of our sponsors”. Alick Macheso will perform a solo show in Leeds on Friday 29 July 2016 while Tuku will be performing in Finland on the same day before clashing on Saturday in Leicester for a mouth-watering gig which has all the ingredients of a thriller. Tickets now out; www.iconsafrica.com

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