BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
The late music icon and national hero Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi might have left a big void in the music industry, but through her daughters, Selmor and Sandra, Tuku’s fans might have something to smile at if their performance at the Selmor Mtukudzi and Friends — Tuku Music Lives On concert on Friday night at Andy Miller Hall at Harare Showgrounds was anything to go about.
The Mtukudzi sisters, backed by some of their late father’s Black Spirits band members Piki Kasamba and Never Mpofu silenced critics with a par excellence performance that resembled nothing short of a well-rehearsed and choreographed set.
Taking to the stage soon after midnight, dressed in a white chemise with some African prints on front and a matching pair of trousers, Selmor was leading the band, well-complimented by sister Sandra who apart from matching her sister’s colours reminded many of Tuku’s dressing as she donned a black hat and an unfastened African print shirt.
If the fans’ reactions to their performance on the night that could have been enjoyed even by the late Tuku are anything to go by, then epic would be the best way to describe how the sisters were a marvel to watch throughout their set alongside Selmor’s husband Tendai Manatsa as they left fans clamouring for more.
Flawless vocals that were on point, dance routines and stage gestures during their performances, Selmor really revived Tuku’s memories as they warmed the hearts of the late star’s fans and many followers of showbiz matters. And in a sign of embracing and appreciating Selmor’s performance, the captivated audience could not help, but sing and dance along, making the event very memorable.
Among the Tuku renditions that was part of Selmor’s playlist included Perekedza Mwana, Ziwerere, Hear Me Lord and Madiro on which she was joined by award winning multi-instrumentalist and music producer who also once played for Tuku, Clive Mono Mukundu, veteran singer Steve “Dongi” Makoni to perform Handiende, Rovangoma Mutavara, Munendipasa Manyemwe, Kubvongodza Muto and Chiri Nani.
“Let me call Bamunini mufana wa mudhara vakangofanana fanana nawo so [let me call my father’s look-alike young brother] Piki Kasamba,” said Selmor as Kasamba joined her on the stage for the song Perekedza Mwana much to the delight of the fans.
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Apart from her father’s renditions, Selmor also performed her songs such as Hangasa and Nguva Yangu.
“I feel blessed to have the original Black Spirits today on stage,” Selmor screamed in the midst of her perfomances.
In an interview with Standard Style, backstage soon after her performance, Selmor who has been touted as the heir apparent to the Tuku Music throne said she was grateful for the support she got from corporates, music promoters and fans at large.
“The game plan for tonight was to make sure that people enjoy, that was the most important thing for me,” she said.
“I wanted to shed a light on my father’s music and his performance and make sure that people will still remember him for his performances, which made him different from every other artiste.
“We learnt a lot from Bamunini Piki. He was teaching us all the dance moves during rehearsals and he would step aside and say you two [Selmor and Sandra] go ahead and do it, I have taught you, do it. He was really special for me among other members tonight. I hope where ever my father is, he is happy and proud.”
Selmor paid tribute to Piki for helping her come up with the play list, which she said was a joint effort with the audience also being involved.
“It was not easy to come up with a play list that would please everyone. I tried writing on social media to ask the fans what songs they wanted us to play. I also had some I liked and Bamunini Piki gave us three or four and said you must play these. It was a joint effort really with the audience too,” she said.
Although Daisy Mtukudzi was not part of the concert, Selmor claimed that she had invited her as part of the family alongside her mother Melody Murape, her aunties and in-laws, the Manatsas.
At the concert, Selmor shared the stage with other artistes, including Sulumani Chimbetu, Sasha, Andy Muridzo, Jah Signal and Steve Makoni with South African singer Jah Seed who was advertised as part of the performers failing to attend.
