R&B legends rock the house

First up was Horace, a picture of elegance whose clear voice kept the audience captivated throughout his performance. Brown was well suited for this event where the calibre of the vocals would definitely match up to any popular concert around the world. Brown, who is not well known in Zimbabwe, whetted the appetite of the patrons singing both his original music and also some popular tunes.

Coming onto the stage as the final performer, Tevin Campbell needed no introduction. With a voice so silky smooth, it was as if he picked up where he left off after his final top 30 hit in 1999, Another Way, from his self-titled album. Listening to him belt out his hits, it is hard to understand why his career isnt currently on a similar path as that of recording artist Usher, with whom he incidentally shared a stage as part of the R&B group Black Men United.

Cutting a slim figure in a sharp black suit and a cowboy hat, Campbell conversed expertly with his audience. The musician began his career at the age of 11 and has more recently been playing the role of Seaweed J. Stubbs in the popular Broadway musical Hairspray. The venue made it quite easy for Campbell to banter with the ladies in the crowd. I love intimate gatherings like this and I must say that you ladies are looking fine tonight! said Campbell, much to the delight of crowd. He then produced a thought provoking and sensitive moment when went he said it was a sin not to use the talent that God gives us and that if he could not sing, he could not live.

The patrons responded to Tevins every word, especially during his performance of Always in My Heart, from his second album Im Ready which reached number three on the US R&B charts. They waved side to side at his insistence as he revealed that it was one of his favourite tracks. He rendered other popular songs throughout his set including Brown-eyed Girl in a cappella which he said was in fact about a girl he knew when he was 14 and his once number 1 chart track, Tomorrow. After came the Adult Contemporary hit: Tell Me What You Want Me To Do, followed by Alone With You, Goodbye, Im Ready and Always in My Heart which charted at number 3 on the R&B chart.

Tevin Campbells penultimate song for the night was the very much loved Grammy Award nominated number 1 US R&B chart single Can We Talk which was composed and produced by the legendary, Babyface. From the first beat of this song, the crowd was on its feet, swaying and clapping and singing along word for word; it was a sight to behold. After the show Campbell told The Zimbabwean that he enjoyed his time here and would definitely be back as a tourist to enjoy all that we have to offer, as he was only able to be here for a few days. He also vowed to return to do another show and told all who were in the hall that he will bring a live backing band as he felt he must come back to rock the house!