By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Zimbabwe’s international gwenyambira — Stella Chiweshe’s 1980s classic album titled Ambuya! is climbing high on the world music charts in Europe.
Originally released in 1987, the album that features the hit song — Chaachimurenga — has been re-mastered from analog tapes and is now available on vinyl, CD and online.
The album is already topping in the charts at number 4 on World Music Charts Europe — https://www.wmce.de /.
On pole position is Uwondzenie/Waterduction by Warsaw Village Band from Poland, and in second is Sisyphus by Sofia Labropoulou from Greece and in third is Motyle by Tora Fuki and then Ambuya! at #4.
The album published by Piranha Records is also sitting at number7 of the Top 40 on Transglobal World Music Charts : https://www.transglobalwmc.com/category/charts
Speaking exclusively to Gem Nation News, the 74-year-old Germany-based star was elated about the success of the album so far.
“Can you imagine I cannot keep my excitement to myself? It’s about that my Album Ambuya! is riding the charts.
“Zviri kundi fadza, kuti zita re nyika yedu Zimbabwe riripowo, pakati pedzimwe nyika dzaka wanda. Album Ambuya! yandi gonera. Keep safe,” she said.
Many music lovers did not have the copy of the album but only a few videos and singles.
The re-issued album will ensure not only her legacy continues but also Zimbabwe’s tradition through her songs that captured the imagination of the masses.
The album is inspired by Ambuya Chiweshe’s musical approach, the mix is a combination of various titles that bridge the gap between modern and traditional African music.
Explaining the oft-misquoted song Chaachimurenga, Ambuya Chiweshe said each song has its own story and there is a reason why it was recorded.
“Yes, most of these songs resonate very much, with what is going on around the world right now. On this album this is where the song Chaachimurenga is.
“What I was singing about in the song Chaachimurenga, where I said; ‘ko iyi hondo muri kuyi wona here vakomana iyo?’ Yaive hondo yekufa kwanhasi uku, kweku wurayiwa nechatisinga wone. I had dreamt of this kind of deaths, that we are facing nowadays plus the reason the album Ambuya has been re-issued at the right time.” The playlist on the album includes Nehondo, Njuzu, Mugomba, Chamakuwende, Kasahwa, Chipindura, Ndinogarochema and Sarura Wako.
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