Sulu dumps studio, plans new album

DENDERA crooner Suluman "Sulu" Chimbetu has dumped Vialy Studios, a stable he helped fortify as a music production power house.
Vialy Studios was set up in 2012 and is owned by Oliver Mtukudzi's keyboardist Munyaradzi Viya.

Sunday Mail reported that the double "Best Producer Award" nominee is behind some of the country's top albums among them Jah Prayzah's "Tsviriyo" and "Jerusarema", Sulu's "Gunship" and Tocky Vibes' "Toti".

Suluman "Sulu" Chimbetu (seated) with fellow musician Somandla Ndebele (dreadlocked) and Blessing Jecha at the new Dendera Studios in Mabelreign, Harare Suluman "Sulu" Chimbetu (seated) with fellow musician Somandla Ndebele (dreadlocked) and Blessing Jecha at the new Dendera Studios in Mabelreign, Harare

Information obtained by this publication indicates the dendera flag bearer has since finished setting up his own studio in the capital, which will provisionally be operating as Dendera Studios.

Sulu has also enlisted the services of fellow musician-cum-producer Clive "Mono" Mukundu for his new project that is set for release this August.
The two have already recorded a few tracks among them a Nyanja song called "Katundu", which talks about an in individual who is retracing his roots in the hope of pleasing his ancestors. In an interview last week, the dendera crooner confirmed parting ways with Viya but hastened to say "it was all in good spirit".

"It is known that we are in the process of setting up our own studio and I'm glad to say the process is almost complete. I don't have a problem with Munya (Viya). I helped him set up and popularise his brand but the time for me to move on and try new things has come," explained Sulu.
Indeed one of the new songs "Katundu", recorded by Mono, presents a fresh dendera sound. The timbre borrows from the dendera founding fathers but comes with a fresh flair.

"For the new album we have engaged Mono. This does not mean though that we are completely shutting out Munya. We will be engaging his services every now and then in our future endeavours," Sulu says.

And Viya wishes the crooner well.

"It's a good move. He will have more time at the new studio. Jah Prayzah has his own studio but I continue working with him. If he wants my assistance, I will gladly chip in. My focus is not just to work with established artistes. I also want to record fresh names and bring them to stardom. Besides these guys came to me from other stables and that is how this industry runs from the time of veteran producers like Bothwell Nyamhondera," remarked Viya.

Sulu's close friend and publicist Joe "Local" Nyamungoma added that it was Orchestra Dendera Kings' policy to bring unique material to all productions. "Besides being a producer, Mono is also a musician of note in his own right. He has worked with some of the best talents in the country and his worthiness is already showing. We are satisfied with what he is doing and I'm certain our forthcoming album will be a dynamite," said a visibly ecstatic Nyamungoma.

Some of the songs that will feature on the yet to be titled album include "It's Not Necessary" and "Ndiani Arasa Mwana".
The tracks are frequently sampled at the musician's gigs and have long become sing-along tunes. Interestingly, Sulu's new project will go head-to-head with Jah Prayzah's new album "Mdara Vachauya", which is also scheduled for release in August.

"We are not looking much into what others are doing. Our focus is just to create good music that will satisfy our fans. With our new studio in place, only the sky is the limit for us," said Nyamungoma.

Likewise, Mono sounds geared up and is certain his effort on the project will be duly recognised by music lovers.
"We have not done much but so-far-so-good. I have worked with Sulu before on an unreleased project and it is that different touch/sound that he is after. I will give it to him and depending on whether he is not distracted with other commitments, the project will be completed on time," notes Mono.