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Alick Macheso

Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent—
ALICK Macheso fans on Friday night braved sub zero temperatures at the Large City Hall car park in Bulawayo as Extra Basso’s new offering Tsoka Dzerwendo was met with mixed feelings. The album, which has been receiving rave reviews from many people, was unveiled to fans as the Sungura music supremo moved away from performing his yester year hits and focused on the new album.

It seems that going back to his social messages in songs is the winning formula for Baba Sharo as most of his songs have a message for the people. Tracks such as Kurarama Inyasha, Mude Mude, Wandirangaridza, Munyaradzi and Gungwa proved popular with some in the crowd. Temperatures plummeted to 9 degrees Celsius and that contributed to the subdued numbers at the show.

Only a handful of people who knew tracks from the album danced and sang along to keep themselves warm on a chilly night. Even the alcohol selling points were not having any joy due to the low temperatures.

Away from the cold weather, the return of rebel members of Orchestra Mberikwazvo, Franco Slomo, guitarist Noel Nyazanda, drummer Obert Gomba and chanter Jonas Kasamba, went smoothly, with Macheso thanking them for coming back.

The quartet had ditched Macheso in 2013 to form their own project, Extra Kwazvose. However, they struggled and failed to attract fans to their shows which left them in financial difficulties. Gomba, Nyazanda and Kasamba rejoined Macheso this year.

Their return added some verve and oomph into the group with Kasamba leading the chanting on the night. Talented dancer Majuicy kept fans in awe with his dance moves while leading the line of performers on stage.

Sandra Ndebele, who had just performed at Bulawayo Theatre with Khuliyo, also made a cameo appearance when she joined Macheso on stage. Fans started chanting Sandy Sandy Sandy as she sang the 2006 track Guva Rangu with Macheso. When Macheso had dished out his new album to fans, he then went into yesteryear hits.