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Dopiro Crew, Kalcha Family have finally found their own formula following the release of their debut album “Amai”.
The eight-member Harare-based group – that fuses traditional and contemporary rhythms to come up with a hybrid beat they call “Udzamiri”.
Then, they were still working with the mbira queen whom they described as their greatest music influence.
“By titling the album we are in a way paying tribute to Ambuya for giving us direction during all those years we worked as members of her outfit before forming our own group, Kalcha Family.
“She is very supportive and has urged us to take our selves seriously if we are to make it in the music industry. She has even pledged her support and sometimes we use her equipment during rehearsals,” said Godfrey Gatsi (40), the leader of the group.
“On the other hand, by giving the album the title Amai, we are paying homage to mothers for everything they do in making this world a better place. The root of humanity lies with mothers, who should be given all due respect for shaping and moulding us,” added Clifford Navaya (39), who is also a member of Kalcha Family.
So deep-seated is their passion for preserving the culture that they decided to call themselves the Kalcha Family.
“We named ourselves the Kalcha Family owing to our need to preserve and restore our culture,” explained Gatsi.
Formed in 2004, the group,, however struggled to break into the mainstream music scene due to lack of adequate resources like musical instruments, transport and finance to ensure the smooth flowing of their band’s activities.
“We decided to form the group since most of the times Ambuya is out of the country and we found out that we just couldn’t sit at home, while waiting for her to return without doing anything,” Navaya said.
The group has in its fold, a former member of Dopiro Crew, talented guitarist Israel Makombe.
Makombe composes songs for the group as well as playing the lead guitar.
“We (Kalcha Family) also had the opportunity of backing Max Mapfumo and his Dopiro Crew during some shows including the Mzee Bira in 2004,” they said.
Recorded at Diamond Studios, Kalcha Family’s seven-track album is a must-listen bringing in a novel angle to local music. The opening track, “Pfugama Unamate”, is a plea to God to show his people direction, while “Nohoreka” addresses the traditional spirits to intervene on behalf of Africa whose traditions and culture are being diluted and are under siege from Westernisation.
“Nohoreka aramba nemvura yake, mukwerera hakuchina/Chaminuka oramba nemazano ake/Pamunokunda munondipembedzawo here?”, are part of the thought-provoking lyrics in the song.
In “Kure Kure”, an elder who has seen it all in life is advising youths who have lost direction of who they are to remember their roots.
Mazvokuda is self-explanatory that warns youths against pressing the self-destruct button in whatever they will be doing.
Other songs on the album include “Wampweteka” sung in Nyanja, “Zadzisai” and the title track “Amai”.