Dembo lives on

The resurgent record label Record and Tape Promotions have reissued the compilation CD titled Re-Mastered Top Hits Vol 1. Veteran producer Tendai Mparutsa re-mastered by Peter “Cool Dude” Muparutsa and compiled by Musa Panavanhu.

The compilation CD released last week has already proved to be a reincarnation of the late legendary guitarist, composer and songwriter who is obviously in the countrys sungura music hallmarks. It is a guaranteed hit and a must collect item for Dembos true fans as the songs compiled came from chart topping albums.

Some of the songs include Musha Rudziiko (What Will Be The Homestead) taken from the album Paw Paw. It is a very popular song that made a great impact following the colloquial language that he used in the sing. Dembos trademark and distinctive lead guitar punctuates the majestic instrumentation that was crafted in a traditional way.

Kanganwiro (Forgiveness), is yet another hit track taken from the album Shiri Yakangwara (The Wise Bird). In the song Dembo was appealing to God to spare a fair judgment for him when the judgment day comes.

Another song Babamunini (Uncle) from Dembos last album Hamungadaro (You Cannot Do That) is another sad song where he depicts a sad scenario where an uncle mistreats children left by their late father. It further comments on social living where a

bereaved family should live together to avoid disputes.

Yave (God) from the album Shiri Yakangwara (The Wise Bird) is a gospel track that talks about death in which Dembo says in as much as people die no one is able to prepare for it. Before Dembo died, he knew that his days were now nearer and in this

particular song he was dedicating it to himself when he said it was only God who knew the day and time when one dies. In the song, Dembo further says he should have prepared for his death had God hinted the day and time he would die.

Munovenga Mudzimai Wangu (You Hate My Wife) is another social commentary masterpiece from the late legend. He talks about how the close relatives hate his wife. Dembo asks them how will he live happily with his wife that he loves so much while the relatives do not like her.

Dembo was born in 1961 in the rural areas of Chirumhanzu, Midlands province of Zimbabwe. But his ancestral origin of his Karanga tribe, which is the largest tribe in Zimbabwe, is Masvingo. Dembo grew up without his father, an experience he later reflected on in his song writing, particularly in such songs as Nhamo Moto (The

Pain of Poverty) and Nhamo Iya ndakura Nayo. (I Have Grown Up In Poverty).

He had been interested in singing from as early as nine-years-old when he was first a shepherd-boy in Buhera where his mother came from and later when he moved to Bulawayo to look for work soon after Zimbabwean Independence.

Failing to make it in Bulawayo, Dembo moved to Harare where he joined an outfit known as the Outsiders where he was quickly identified as a talented young guitarist.

He even broke the charts with his early hit Dambudzo and Manga Majaira Matsotsi, the later song, which he released under the name of a band known as Five Notes.

Due to some disagreements over partnership laws and band management, Dembo quickly broke ranks with his colleagues in the Outsiders/Five Notes outfit. This was especially precipitated by his success in his first album, Mai vane Vana Vavo (Mother and Her Children 1984) and a single hit, Venenzia.

He teamed up with a few other friends and formed the Barura Express. From the time Dembo took charge of his new outfit, he never looked back. In fact, from the year 1985, Dembo had been releasing hit after hit, beginning with Murombo (Poor Man). This track appealed to most young men of the time as it addressed the question of poor bachelors who expect to get married soon.

LEONARD DEMBOS DISCOGRAPHY

Nhamo Moto (1986).

Kuziva Mbuya Huudzwa (1987),

Sharai (1987),

Kukura Kwedu (1988),

Ruva Rashe (1989),

Kukura Hakutani (1990, which was a twelve-inch disc),

Chitekete (1991),

Tinokumbira Kurarama (1992)

Madhiri(1992),

Mazano (1993),

Kutinya Marimba(1993),

Nzungu Ndamenya (1994),

Pawpaw (1994),

Shiri Yakangwara (1995)

Hamungadaro (1996).