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(HERALD) Q Montana in joint venture with Zambian artistes

Q Montana in joint venture with Zambian artistes
city.com reporter

YOUTHFUL multi-instrumentalist Q Montana — real name Brighton Kufa — feels he has finally been rewarded for his great artistry and maturity. In his early 20s, Montana has also won the hearts of some regional artistes with the latest being two of Zambia’s acclaimed artistes — Chris Aka (38) and Mau Mwale (35). The trio is currently busy at Monolio Studios — owned by session musician Mono Mukundu — putting some final touches on a collaborative album due for release next week.

The Zambians arrived in the capital on Tuesday for what they call a real mission to integrate Lusaka and Harare through guitars. The mission looks possible as they have completed working on the release of what they call a "ground-breaking" album.

When city.com caught up with the Zambians in the capital this week, they spoke highly of Montana whom they referred to as the future icon of Africa inasfar as guitar playing goes. They say the new collaboration, entitled Amamo, would also go a long way in showing the world that Lusaka and Harare both abound with rare talent.

Montana’s first encounter with the Zambians was at a Sadc summit held in Lusaka last year where he had gone on private business.

"Having met at that gathering, we discussed a lot and felt it was proper that we come up with a Sadc song and we composed one called Sadc Unite that we shall also add on this collaboration.

"After performing one song at the summit we felt we had not done enough and mooted this idea of recording a collaboration featuring the three of us.

"In the new collaboration, each of us penned three songs making a total of nine songs plus that one making them 10," he said.

Aka, who sings Afro-reggae, wrote songs like Teacher, Mwana Wamasiye and Gertrude that he dedicated.

Songbird Mwale has also written such songs as Oddi, Hungry Children and a historic song while our own Montana has composed Swedera, Unoteyei and Nidomurumbidza, making the album very diverse in both texture and appeal.

Aka said the album would first be launched in Zimbabwe with an accompanying video set to follow soon after.

"We have already started shooting some videos and we would like to ensure that people really get to known us better through our music.

"We have also chosen some sites in Zimbabwe as we feel the country has beautiful scenery to spice up our stuff," he said.

Mwale, who says she was looking beyond the collaboration, reiterated that there was more on the cards.

"We are not stopping here. We will soon invite our brother (Montana) and his wife to Zambia for more shows. He is a marvel to work with and he is not selfish. He really gives in. He is also the kind of person who has a passion for what he does.

"In short, it is a long-term friendship we have cultivated with this young man who has been fantastic," said Mwale.

Aka started his music career in 1990. He says he got much of his material support from the Zambian Army where he has worked as civilian.

An accomplished percussionist and vocalist, Aka has also recorded three albums --- Pay Slow, Kuzionesa and Africa.

A firm believer in Rastafari, Aka has shared the stage with some of the continental heavyweights who include Diamond Musica, Awilo Longomba and many more.

He says he has also travelled extensively with his self-titled band he left behind in Zambia.

As for Mwale, she says she draws her inspiration from Miriam "Mama Africa" Makeba. She also fronts the popular Mwale Sisters based in Lusaka.

The Mwale Sisters — a family affair — call their music afro-fusion.

Mwale says she launched her career in 1981 having worked with the group Witch, which was popular in the 1980s.

Montana worked as a session musician for a number of bands including Afrika Revenge, Tanga WekwaSando, Rute Mbangwa, Native House, Extra Large, to mention but only a few.

He is at home on most instruments, but is at his best on the bass, acoustic guitar and keyboards.

He has one album to his name entitled Neo Vector while a second is due for release soon.

Montana believes this collaboration with the Zambians will propel him to stardom.

With a little help from Mukundu as producer and instrumentalist on some of the songs, Montana says the sky is the limit.

Labels: AMAMO, MUSIC, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 4:53 PM