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Oliver Mtukudzi at 54: a reason to smile
By Guthrie
Munyuki
MASTER of song, Oliver Mtukudzi's birthday falls in September.
The Zimbawean tunesmith has of late come to share his musical reflections on his birthday.
In fact, the 54 year-old prolific composer and producer started celebrating his birthday publicly with his fans and colleagues in the industry in 2002.
The occasion at La Dolce Vita, above the famous Italian Bakery (IB) in Avondale, Harare, and then 7 Arts later for a musical gig, is quite vivid in my memory.
The gangling Tuku or Nzou (Elephant) his totem, was surprised on that colourful night by African Banking Corporation (ABC), who, through their able Public Relations manager then, Sharon Mugabe (no relation to the President), organised a memorable event. Mtukudzi, at that time, was celebrating his 50th birthday.
Prior to that event, ABC had organised a spectacular regional jazz show at the Borrowdale Race Course which included Gloria Bosman and the irresistible Jimmy Dludlu of South Africa.
Again, Sharon Mugabe earned the accolades of having organised a flawless show that drew large crowds reminiscent to the 80s OK grand challenge. But the point here is not ABC or Sharon Mugabe. It is about how successful management can engender a great career.
In the early 80s, Tuku held his own against the likes of Zexie Manatsa, James Chimombe (late), Marshal Munhumumwe (late) and of course, the Bob Marley of Southern Africa, Thomas "Mukanya" Mapfumo.
Songs such as Bvongodza Muto, Nyarara Kuchema, Ndipeiwo Zano and Chido Chenyu Here? - showed the qualities of Nzou as a musician.
But as the years went by, Mtukudzi's sell-by date, as many called it, had gone behind him. He faced a mammoth task of releasing and matching albums on the market.
Catastrophically, Tuku lost the huge crowds.
Mukanya, Chimombe, Munhumumwe, The Bhundu Boys and later John Chibadura and my late friend, Simon "Chopper" Chimbetu, revelled in their own success.
Their stars were shining brightly at a time Tuku's was on the wane. The Bhundu Boys, yes those guys fronted by the affable Biggie Tembo and Rise Kagona, scaled dizzy heights.
A lot has ben said about how they allowed fame to get to their heads. And even those who were enamoured with their works, today still cannot believe that the Bhundu Boys paled into insignificance and were tragically wiped out save for Kagona who is now based in Scotland.
A sad story indeed.
In the meantime, Mtukudzi continued with his slide into obscurity.
Tuku tried venturing into gospel music but to no avail. At one time he jammed sessions with Zig Zag Band. At the time, he was now residing in Kwekwe. But things changed for the Highfield-born artist when he teamed with Debbie Metcalfe in the mid 90s.
With Metcalfe's shrewd management style, Oliver and The Black Spirits rediscovered their touch.
Tuku returned to Harare. Suddenly there was a spring in his step!
On Sundays in 1995 and 1996, Mtukudzi would have solo performances at Terreskane Hotel now the Bira. He would perform between 15:00hrs and 17:00hrs.
Whenever he had a live show with the Black Spirits, Mtukudzi would be replaced at Terreskane by Steve "Dhongi" Makoni.
Meanwhile, Debbie Metcalfe was busy creating synergies with other musicians of international repute.
The Black Spirits and their frontman weaved slowly into the set-up.
After an arduous journey towards stardom, Tuku's star finally shone in 1998 when he recorded his most successful album, Tuku Music, at Ikwezi Studios, Johannesburg, South Africa.
The gifted saxaphonist Steve Dyer was part of this project.
To date, commercially, Tuku Music, is the best album from the man who at one time was derided by almost every musical fan in Zimbabwe.
Interestingly, Tuku Music was released at the same time as Lullaby by Chimbetu. Lullaby became the biggest selling album by Chimbetu but Tuku still notched more sales than the late Glen Norah-raised Chopper.
Tuku Music spent 11 weeks at the top of the CMJ New World Music charts. The album was released in Zimbabwe on the ZMC label, in South Africa on the Sheer Sound label, Europe, Label Bleu label, in the United Kingdom on the Connoisseur Collection label, and in North America on the Putumayo World Music label.
Today Mtukudzi is a towering figure because of the good management style of Debbie, as Metcalfe is called by Tuku's legion of fans.
The success story is of patience and careful planning. Many people today see Oliver as an arrogant and selfish icon because of the hours that he performs and at times his failure to attend social functions.
When you have a good manager, you know the hours of performances and also the time needed with the family.
Mtukudzi now performs once a month in Zimbabwe -- thanks largely to sound management. This has given him the time to produce music for upcoming artists -- creating a rich legacy that will be hard to ignore when he retires.
He sees a lot in his son SAM.
Sadly the other icon, Mukanya seems to be faltering as a result of shoddy management. There is no doubt that Dr Mapfumo is a hugely talented man. But there is no denying that without proper management, Zimbabwe's social evangelist is heading for the precipice.
Thousands of his fans may not agree, but it is the sad truth. Just in July, the legendary chimurenga music king claimed one of his many managers had botched up his intended UK trip when he was denied a VISA.
As Mtukudzi celebrates another year in his successful life, it is important to pay tribute to good management that has taken him to the apex of musical brilliance in Southern Africa.
There is nothing in sight to show that Tuku will put a halt to his success -- he has good management on his side.
Very soon, he will be releasing his 51st album -- Tsimba Itsoka.
Such is the story of a man who has given it all in music and has been rewarded by patient fans and a good manager.
Internationally,
pundits say Mtukudzi and The Black Spirits are the only reason that
one can smile -- because Zimbabwe is currently burning!
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