Defining moment for Black Spirits

THE Black Spirits are scheduled to perform live at Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton on January 21 and release a new album later this year.

The album will be band’s first new release since the death of the legendary Dr Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, who fronted the band.

Dr Mtukudzi breathed his last on January 23, 2019. He was 66-years-old.

A lot of people are wondering how the much-awaited release of the Black Spirits’ new album will be received by both music enthusiasts and critics.

The Black Spirits will sample some of their new songs during the official commemorations that will mark the passing on of Dr

Mtukudzi.

Fans will also have an opportunity to assess the band’s performance without Tuku.

On the day, the band will also perform some of the songs that were written and sung by Dr Mtukudzi, but were yet to be released.

By the time of his passing, Dr Mtukudzi had released 66 albums.

Walter Wanyanya, who manages the affairs of the Black Spirits, said the band’s live performance during the commemorations will be historical.

“First and foremost, this year is going to go down the annals of history as the year in which the Black Spirits released an album in the absence of Dr Mtukudzi.

As such, the performance during the commemorations will be a litmus test for us,” Wanyanya said.

Dr Mtukudzi left behind a number of unreleased songs, which Wanyanya said the band is presently refining in preparation for the publication of the new album.

Since Tuku’s death, the Mtukudzi family has been holding commemorations to celebrate the life of the late national hero.

Prior to the live performance, attendees will be treated to a marathon that was planned as a commemorative event.

Daisy Mtukudzi, the widow of the national hero, explained why the organisers added a marathon on the list of the activities for the commemorations.

“My late husband was a fitness enthusiast.

His live performances were also punctuated by energetic displays.

“Holding a marathon is another way of celebrating his eventful life,” Daisy said.

The Mtukudzi family has vowed to maintain the legacy of the late music icon.

The family has so far managed to keep the Pakare Paye Arts Centre alive, with music shows being held regularly at the venue.

Daisy dismissed reports of infighting within the family and assured the nation that the late Tuku’s legacy is “in safe hands”.

“People will always talk. As a family, we are, however, used to it.

“I want to assure the nation that my husband’s legacy is in safe hands,” Daisy said.

The late Oliver Mtukudzi