Gasa’s album a breath of fresh air
ROMEO Gasa’s (pictured right) album title “Bhoo Zvekuti”, aptly sums up the musician’s effort in his latest offering.
Bhoo Zvekuti is street lingo loosely translated to mean “too good”. Gasa’s sixth studio album, which was recently launched in the capital, is as promised by the artiste a breath of fresh air in the now droning sungura genre.
Be that as it may, the musician and his management could have done better through selecting a better launch venue. Apparently there is a semblance of order and some vision as to where the band is headed, but launching this brilliant product at the Portugal Restaurant aka Pensao was a not so good move.
For starters, the place is not popular with live music followers, it is more of a nightclub. Moreover, the overzealous security at the joint is clearly not used to having live gigs at the venue. They gave most of the invited guests a torrid time despite proof of invitations.
Also lighting, both on and off the stage, was poor. It was worse in the crowd as people had to rely on light rays that spilled from the main bar, stage and partly the entrance.
The stage also is not properly built. Tall band members risked hitting their heads against iron bars supporting the stage lighting system and roof. In short, this is one venue not to use for an album launch in future.
Probably had the artiste chosen a different venue, he would have doubled the number of people that graced the event. This is not to say the attendance was bad. It was good and way above average. Back to the album - the seven track piece solidifies Romeo as a talented and hardworking artiste who thinks outside the box. Unlike his peers that have decided to stay in a cocoon, Romeo is being adventurous.
He maintains the basic principles of sungura in most of the songs but comes in with additives that give his form of art a new perspective.
One’s enthusiasm on the album “Bhoo Zvekuti”, is kept afloat from the opening to the very last track through a captivating blend of styles and vocals. Romeo has a rare ability to control his intonation for both high and low pitch notes without showing strain.
Also, his instrumentation is now even more compact, rather rich. Certainly, other sungura singers can learn a thing or two from a youngster who for a greater part of his career has been derided by some as an Alick Macheso/Tongai Moyo wannabe.
The message on the “Bhoo Zvekuti”, is easy to follow.
Romeo managed to address a number of social issues using simple lyrics that appeal to every generation and class.
Listeners believe heavy and sorrowful lyrics that usually characterise sungura are partly responsible for destroying the once revered genre. The musician should, however, avoid using short punch lines from other musicians like an opening line from Thomas Mapfumo’s song “Joice”, that is found on his song “Chihuta Changu”.
This habit will give critics ammunition to use against him, a thing the sungura musician acknowledges.
“It has been a long journey and I’m open to criticism. It is through such feedback that I have managed to develop my music to a level it currently is. The album is made up of new styles and we are saying this is not the end. There is still room for improvement,” said Romeo.
“We hope our fans will like ‘Bhoo Zvekuti’, since we gave it our all. It is our fans that give us the motivation to keep on moving forward and this product is tailor made for them.”
Romeo’s manager Boniface “Chief” Chisvine adds, “The new album signals a new dawn for Romeo’s group, Extra Valembe”.
“I’m glad people are now beginning to understand and appreciate Romeo’s music. Support for his gigs is gradually increasing and I’m sure this album is going to create a new wave for him. We are not resting with this release. Plans to unveil ‘Bhoo Zvekuti’, around the country are already in motion,” said Chisvine.
On the song “Varume Munoshusha” the musician decries domestic violence. He goes on to explain that both women and men are to blame for family breakups and duly notes that often people prefer to be single than being in a problematic union.
Romeo, however, warns that a partner you treat badly will sooner rather than later find someone else who will care for them better. “Nhamo Haina Zera” is a song of encouragement.
The danceable track borrows from verses in the Bible that encourage people to be loving and caring and to work hard in creating good relations with the Almighty.
Success, the song notes comes from perseverance. Tempo is raised when the bass and lead guitarists take full charge as the song folds.
The chihuta (quail bird) craze is revisited in a love song “Chihuta Changu”. In this case Romeo equates the bird to a girl and warns of how he is willing to do the unthinkable should anyone mess with his “chihuta”.
In “Anyumwa Bere” Romeo gets controversial.
The song is a direct attack on fellow musician and other people that are resorting to the use of juju in order to register success in life. Juju, he sings, is not the answer since it has negative consequences.