Bulawayo-born musician creates buzz in UK

Bulawayo-born musician Eska Mtungwazi is making waves in the United Kingdom music industry, Daily News reported.

British Broadcasting Corporation"s (BBC) Gilles Peterson recently made Gatekeeper his track of the week on his BBC 6 Music show.

BBC Radio 2"s Jamie Cullum has described  Gatekeeper  as "an unbelievable track that will be hard to beat in 2013".

BBC Radio London"s Robert Elms recently featured a sensational live performance of   Eska"s track She is in the Flowers.

Eska, who relocated to the United Kingdom (UK) as a three-year-old from Zimbabwe"s second largest city Bulawayo, has won the admiration of leading British musicians despite the fact that she did not have, until now, a solo release of her own.

Her talent, showcased through collaborations with international stars like Grace Jones, Cinematic Orchestra, Zero 7 and Bobby McFerrin, prompted popular UK saxophonist and rapper Soweto Kinch to describe Eska "as an incredible singer. I think Britain"s best kept secret. Her stage presence, her musicality…"

With expectations exceptionally high, it is not surprising that Eska took long to release her highly anticipated debut EP.

The Bulawayo-born musician who says "chimurenga music carries a deep emotional resonance for me," has finally plucked up courage to release her debut offering called Gatekeeper on November 20.

Even before its official release, Eska"s music has already created a buzz across the United Kingdom.

Praise for Eska"s debut EP has been sprouting everywhere. Spiral Earth, a respected UK music website had this to say of the musician"s first EP: "She weaves elements of folk, psych, soul and electronica into something fresh and original. She has picked up strong radio support from the likes of Lauren Laverne and Jamie Cullum."

Eska, who is widely recognised by her musical peers as one of the most talented neo-soul artistes of her generation, hopes to perform in Zimbabwe soon.

The talented vocalist, performer, songwriter, musician and producer who has toured the world on behalf of the British Council, is determined to convince the UK Culture arm to facilitate shows for her in Zimbabwe.

"I will be going to Malaysia in December on behalf of the British Council ' will definitively contact them about the Harare International Festival of Arts (Hifa) as they have sent me to many destinations but there"s not yet been an opportunity to revisit my birth country as a musician ' that would be a very special trip, indeed," said Eska whose only visit to Zimbabwe was when she was an 18-year-old.