Sulu’s latest shakes off shells
Showbiz Writer
FROM Harare, to Nyanga and even Chachacha in Shurugwi – Suluman “Sulu” Chimbetu’s latest offering “Jamboree”, was on rotation this festive season and the trend looks set to continue nationwide.
This album had been long in coming. A lot of theories had done the rounds as Zimbabweans are known as a “clever” lot that can interpret events and actions easily, many a times way off the mark.
And so, because Sulu had not released an album as we pushed further into the year, some theories were to the effect that he was now a spent force, others claimed that he now thrives on collaborations. To add feed to the rumour mongering, Sulu’s camp switched dates for the launch of the album several times. This was followed by the announcement that the album would be launched on the same date as his wedding. The rumour mongering went into overdrive.
Events on the wedding day were also another feeder for the ever enterprising. And so the album was overshadowed.
And so the album had to wriggle its way out of these negatives for it to touch the hearts of many a Zimbabwean.
The album had to fend off the negative publicity and find its way into the ears even of the rumour mongers. The sceptical, had to be convinced that at least there is something worth listening to from Sulu. And I was one of them.
The other permanent feature that Sulu and his music have to fight is the constant reference to his father and his music. Having had a father who was a genius at his game is not always a good thing because your legendary father is always used as a yardstick.
You often hear fans saying “baba vake could have done better” others “Chimbetu (Simon) was in a class of his own”.
And so when Sulu releases a product it has to pass through these tests!
Jamboree had to pass the negative information first; then pass his father’s legacy (which is a permanent feature by the way) and it had to pass the offerings that had been released before it, another constant and to entice the sceptics. We cannot divorce this from the album because all these are factors that affect the success or otherwise of any product.
Therefore, “Jamboree” is no exception. Having been released under these tough conditions and tests, Sulu’s album was almost written off before it even got airplay. A number of articles have been penned since the album was released but I found it worthwhile to also contribute to the debate about it.
Is “Jamboree” dendera or not? This has been a very important discourse since Sulu started on his own. Listening to songs such as “Error”, one cannot fail to identify this album with the real dendera.
As with Simon, Sulu plays with lyrical content to push his message through. “Error” is a warning to the proud, the same way the Bible says; “pride goes before a fall”. So Sulu warns that “musoro wakura kudarika makumbo” and in Shona there is a saying that when one becomes pompous they say “akura musoro”.
And when one becomes “big headed” he takes every direction at any speed, he cannot be controlled or advised, this is why Sulu warns that do not run through a field that has just been ploughed because the ground will not be even. Chances of tripping are high.
Speed without guidance is dangerous. Message is very key in the success of any music. Also, in “Tiringwe”, in which he sings about working hard for the family all year round Sulu showed content wealth communicated in an artistic way. In terms of lyrical content, Sulu passed the test. Dendera music is set on strong lyrical value. And this lyrical value is for the discerning mind. In “Jamboree”, Sulu showed his prowess in terms of lyrical depth, the hallmark of dendera music.
Furthermore, dendera music is tight in terms of song arrangement and transitions. “Jamboree” is an improvement from other offerings Sulu has given fans. The songs do not come with congested lyrical content but measured to an extent of leaving those not so connected to dendera wondering. Dendera is for those who understand and interpret sophistication.
It is the same way the legendary Simon sang in “Hutete Hura Hwangu”, “Kunjere Kunjere” or “Pane Asipo”. The players of instruments were at their best on “Jamboree”. Not sure how Sulu motivated them. This project would not have flown with weak instrumentation. The producers and engineers did a splendid job on this dendera offering. Dendera music is also strong on song arrangement, which is what is exhibited in this album.
The bass line, which depicts the sound of the dendera comes out clean. This is dendera. Vocal projection and parts are clear and well managed. Some music loses meaning if the vocals are not well marshalled. Noise is not music the same with shouting. Sulu leads from a comfortable pitch, which is key. Sometimes engineers lose it allowing artistes to sing on either too high or too low pitches and they end up messing things up. It is not so with this album.
In some of his songs Sulu advises against fighting, lack of respect for each other and general delinquency. This is a key message, a central pillar for dendera, which has always been influenced by societal values.
This project leaves time to instruments especially at the end, typical of dendera music; allow fans to enjoy artwork and instruments. This latest effort is definitely going to steer Sulu back to his status as a top star that had been shaken by a number of factors.
“Jamboree” is indeed a shindig.
