Entertainment / Local
Dudu Manhenga launches album No. 5
24 Apr 2013 at 04:14hrs | Views
One of Zimbabwe's top afro-jazz musicians, Dudu Manhenga, will this afternoon launch her fifth album, a debut worshipping project to reaffirm her faith in God.
The 11-track album ground-breaking launch will be held at the Book Café followed by a series of launches across the country in the next few months.
Titled "For You" the album contains a number of sing-along praise and worship songs to reaffirm Dudu's continued faith in God. Some of the songs include "Yours", "Wethembekile", "Rutiziro", "Dwala", "Handityi" and the chorus "Ndinoshamiswa".
Although it is purely a gospel album you cannot miss Dudu's beat and melody, which is quite distinct and is ably captured by the use of the saxophone and the trumpet.
"I decided to work on a gospel musical project to thank the Lord for the gift of life and sustenance. It has been a long journey to be where I am right now, but I just want to give all the credit to the Almighty for my family, career, opportunities that I have had and everything that I have got," she said.
What is interesting to note is that Dudu's fifth album comes at a time when there has been concerns from music fans who claim that they have not been able to access her music, on the local market, while others argue that her music remained elitist and largely unknown. However, Dudu conceded that her music has not been readily available on the local market because she does not have a local distribution deal.
"We now have a distribution deal with Metro Studios, who have assured me that all the CDs will be available in most shops. We are going to reproduce everything, all the albums that I have done and they will be released tomorrow (Wednesday) together with my new album," she said.
On the type of music she plays, Dudu said she was working towards building a bigger brand than what she currently has, by holding shows across cities.
"I do have a niche market for my music but I am willing to do more so that I can spread the brand around," she said.
Dudu, who started her musical career when she was only 16, says her style was influenced by great African and jazz singers, and the dignity of her delivery is a credit to her and to her country, wherever she goes.
Her music has been accurately described as "an afro-jazz adventure" - a fusion of genres: afro, contemporary, Zimbabwe traditional, township, jazz, afro, Latino and a cultural cross-breed of Zimbabwe's Manica, Mashona and Matabele rhythms and melodies, with energetic stage work and sizzling vocals.
Dudu had long stints as backing vocalist for several top artistes including Oliver Mtukudzi & the Black Spirits, Steve Dyer, Louis Mhlanga, Tanga Wekwa Sando and Dumi Ngulube, while studying at the Zimbabwe College of Music in Harare. In 2001 she formed the group Color Blu, along with her husband and partner drummer Blessing Muparutsa.
They recorded their debut nine-track afro- jazz fusion album "Out of the Blu" in 2003, which was warmly received by the public and had songs which became hits like "Mvura", "Bengimthandile" and "Madlamini".
The 11-track album ground-breaking launch will be held at the Book Café followed by a series of launches across the country in the next few months.
Titled "For You" the album contains a number of sing-along praise and worship songs to reaffirm Dudu's continued faith in God. Some of the songs include "Yours", "Wethembekile", "Rutiziro", "Dwala", "Handityi" and the chorus "Ndinoshamiswa".
Although it is purely a gospel album you cannot miss Dudu's beat and melody, which is quite distinct and is ably captured by the use of the saxophone and the trumpet.
"I decided to work on a gospel musical project to thank the Lord for the gift of life and sustenance. It has been a long journey to be where I am right now, but I just want to give all the credit to the Almighty for my family, career, opportunities that I have had and everything that I have got," she said.
What is interesting to note is that Dudu's fifth album comes at a time when there has been concerns from music fans who claim that they have not been able to access her music, on the local market, while others argue that her music remained elitist and largely unknown. However, Dudu conceded that her music has not been readily available on the local market because she does not have a local distribution deal.
"We now have a distribution deal with Metro Studios, who have assured me that all the CDs will be available in most shops. We are going to reproduce everything, all the albums that I have done and they will be released tomorrow (Wednesday) together with my new album," she said.
On the type of music she plays, Dudu said she was working towards building a bigger brand than what she currently has, by holding shows across cities.
"I do have a niche market for my music but I am willing to do more so that I can spread the brand around," she said.
Dudu, who started her musical career when she was only 16, says her style was influenced by great African and jazz singers, and the dignity of her delivery is a credit to her and to her country, wherever she goes.
Her music has been accurately described as "an afro-jazz adventure" - a fusion of genres: afro, contemporary, Zimbabwe traditional, township, jazz, afro, Latino and a cultural cross-breed of Zimbabwe's Manica, Mashona and Matabele rhythms and melodies, with energetic stage work and sizzling vocals.
Dudu had long stints as backing vocalist for several top artistes including Oliver Mtukudzi & the Black Spirits, Steve Dyer, Louis Mhlanga, Tanga Wekwa Sando and Dumi Ngulube, while studying at the Zimbabwe College of Music in Harare. In 2001 she formed the group Color Blu, along with her husband and partner drummer Blessing Muparutsa.
They recorded their debut nine-track afro- jazz fusion album "Out of the Blu" in 2003, which was warmly received by the public and had songs which became hits like "Mvura", "Bengimthandile" and "Madlamini".
Source - TH
