Staff Writer
Zimbabwe’s music legend Oliver Mtukudzi’s posthumous album is due out beginning on February 4.
Mtukudzi who is lovingly called Tuku by fans died some three years ago on January 23 due to diabetes complications aged 66.
He made history by becoming the first local musician to be declared a national hero.
According to his publicist Walter Wanyanya the album tiled Abi’angu 2 (which means friends in Chikorekore dialect) will be released as singles.
“Tuku’s brand new song with fellow Zimbabwean Afro-fusion musician Mbeu, titled My Better Half will be released on February 4, in the month of love in commemoration of the legend and in the spirit of Abi’angu (which means “friends’ in the Chikorekore dialect.
“We have decided to release all the songs on the 14-track album as singles in partnership with South Africa-based Gallo Record Company. We will only release the full album after we have released all the songs,” Wanyanya told the Daily News.
The first song off the 14-track album is My Better Half features the talents of Mbeu, a product of the late music superstar, who described the track as a big milestone in his fledgling career.
“It is really a big honour for my track with Mudhara Tuku to be the first one to be released on Abiangu 2. Remember there are 13 other collaborations on the album featuring top local, regional and international artistes.
“As such to be singled out as the first means a lot to me. All I can say is that I owe Mudhara Tuku a 1000 times. The artiste I have become is largely due to the mentorship I got from Mudhara Tuku. May his soul continue to rest in eternal peace,” said Mbeu.
Other collaborations on Abiangu 2 are Neria featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo (South Africa), Todii featuring Mr Nhungue (Mozambique), Usambotya featuring Tocky Vibes, Pomba featuring Pablo Mario (Cape Verde), Ndizarurire featuring Gary Tight, Mutokwe featuring Charma Girl (Botswana), Handinyarare featuring Reverend Toggy Chivaviro, Bhutsu featuring Diamond Musica, Ishe featuring a local group called Family Voices, Tura Mutoro featuring James Sakala (Zambia), Porofita featuring Mathias Mhere, Gashirai featuring a Zimbabwean group called Soul Finders and Munana featuring Diva Mafunga.
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