'Tuku' brings Somerville crowd to its feet

'Tuku' brings Somerville crowd to its feet

AT HOME ANYWHERE: Oliver Mtukudzi

By Bob Young

BOSTON - OLIVER Mtukudzi acts as though he's right at home anywhere in the world - something he certainly had to feel Sunday night at the Somerville Theatre, where thehouse was packed with transplants young and old from his native Zimbabwe.

One of the most charismatic performers in African music - and a heartthrob to the scores of adoring female fans who danced nonstop near the front of the stage - the musician known as ``Tuku'' kept the rhythms swirling and the melodies bright for more than two hours.

He did it by fronting a guitar-heavy band that used powerful vocal harmonies and infectious pop hooks to keep audience members on their feet for almost the entire night.

Lots of artists make their fans happy with vapid lyrics clothed in the style of the day. Mtukudzi's messages, sung in native dialects such as Ndebele and occasionally in English, ranged from women's rights and AIDS prevention to the responsibilities of fatherhood.

Heavy subjects all, but the mood was never dark.That's because as a superstar in Zimbabwe - with more than 46 albums - Mtukudzi has kept his music all about hope for a nation badly in need of it.

From the gentle opening bars of ``What Does It Take to Be a Hero?'' to such later hot-tempo celebrations as ``Dzua Dzedu'' and the anthemic ``Wake Up,'' the guitarist with the plaintive voice of an American soul man led his six-member band with understated power.

His two female singers and sidekick singer and dancer Eric Kasamba added depth to the vocals as congas, drums and ringing electric guitars sliced through a sound that nodded to South African township jive, Caribbean soca and gritty r & b.

When the loose-limbed leader put down his guitar for elastic dance faceoffs with Kasamba, the party got hotter, his female fans screamed louder and the stage lights seemed even more intense. Mtukudzi was home indeed.
Young is an entertainment reporter for the Boston Herald
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