Soul Brothers, Zhakata set for UK concerts

Soul Brothers, Zhakata set for UK concerts

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By Showbiz Reporter

TWO of southern Africa’s most enduring names in music - South Africa’s Soul Brothers and Zimbabwe’s Leonard Zhakata embark on a joint tour of the United Kingdom early December.

It will be Zhakata’s third tour of the UK. The Soul Brothers have also been here before, playing in front of sell-out crowds from London, Bradford to Milton Keynes.

Zhakata and the Soul Brothers will play at the following venues:
Friday 3 December
LONDON, Stratford Rex
Saturday 4 December
LEICESTER, Starlite 2001
Sunday 5 December
LEEDS, West Indian Centre

The Soul Brothers had two big gigs in Zimbabwe recently, and show no signs of fading after more than two decades in the music industry. They recently released their new album Gobondela recorded during a live show in Johannesburg.

Their unique brand of mbaqanga music has captured a constituency for them which no other artist can assail.

The incredible keyboard talents of Moses Ngwenya and the crisp voice of David Masondo form an enduring front that has thrilled audiences for years, and continues to win them more fans.

The Soul Brothers who started off as a five-man band in the early 70s before the others passed away - leaving Masondo and Ngwenya, have over 20 albums under their belt. We all remember how their hit Hluphekile became our national anthem during the early 90s. They were to follow this with hit albums like Idlozi, Umshado, Amanikiniki and Isgebengu.

Leornard Zhakata’s unique music, marshalled with deep Shona lyrics has endeared him to fans seeking an emotional exile. He shot his way to the top with his hit album Mugove in the early 90s, and topped it with Nzombe Huru, then Upenyu Mutoro.

His last album Udza Vamwe was passed politically unfriendly and banned from Zimbabwe’s airwaves. His politically conscious lyrics were too close to the bone for the Zimbabwean government.

Once, when David Masondo was asked what he thought of Zimbabwean music, to an extent represented by Zhakata, he said: “Umusic wenu ukahle, indaba nje unesqubu (your music is OK, only that it is a bit too fast).”

So, when Zhakata takes to the stage in London and Leicester alongside the Soul Brothers, it will be a clash of a slow beat against the pacey drums of Zhakata. Music fans can only look forward to a great show, after all this is December!

The Soul Brothers and Leonard Zhakata will be live at London’s Stratford Rex on Friday 03 December and play at Starlite in Leicester the following day, i.e Saturday 04 Decemeber. On Sunday 05 December the party rolls into the West Indian Centre in Leeds. Advance tickets are £20 and for more information ring the national info and credit card lines 02085550044 or 07985568995
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