Takesure, Solly Mahlangu share spoils

“When the groove is rollicking and kids are frolicking about in the grass, When the musical strains are staccato in places, With fans convulsively waving hands and purses.And when the crowd bays for more,
Then the joy quotient in you as an artist must surely surge and the ego is fanned into flames. Well, this being gospel music, ego should not have to be the problem.”
I am writing the lines above on my mobile gadget as the music show rages on. You tend to wax lyrical when you have an encounter the sublime. You come to grips with what organising a successful music show is all about when you see crowds thronging to a venue and subsequently hearing them sing along to a musician’s song line for line. Yes, you must have the right performers, like Solly Mahlangu, The Charambas, Matthias Mhere, Dudu Manhenga and Takesure Ncube on your bill.

The joint is the Open Heavens gospel music show as envisaged by one Reverend Onismo Sasa of Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe. as the climax of his conference. Usually, Bulawayo is my haunt. But Saturday night at the Harare Gardens is what fate has decreed for me. When I get to the Harare Gardens venue, I am privileged to see Takesure Zamar Ncube with his Worship Addicts on stage backed by Bulawayo soul jazz group called Outfit whom I have mentioned before in this column .The crowd becomes a giant choir as he leads them through his worshipful set of hit songs.

Afterwards, the boisterous Sabastian Magacha does his thing and the crowd is pleased as he whips them up into frenzy. Crescendos, a sea of happy, clappy worshippers. This is Africa my friend. The tribesmen love dancing. I see the old and young especially the children, running about without a care in the world. This is one thing gospel music has over other forms when it comes to the concerts thereof. Kids can roam free from the menace of perverts and freaks.

Poignantly, Solly Mahlangu calls up Takesure Ncube to help him sing. The over 10 000 member crowd absolutely grabs it hook, line and sinker as Takesure Ncube, lanky framed and wearing a purple blazer awesomely delivers plain unadulterated gospel music.
Afterwards, Dudu Manhenga is also invited on stage by Solly Mahlangu.
Her voice towers and tears through the night. It reaches heaven. I stand in awe. Not of her, but of God’s creation. This cannot be an exaggeration because I see many lifting holy hands in worship. Last time I heard anyone reach the notes I hear this Saturday night was when I heard the late Whitney Houston sing “I love the Lord”.
Incidentally, Dudu has a new gospel album out.

With the full line up of the show barring the Charambas on stage, the raspy voiced Solly Mahlangu now leads the song “The Holy Spirit must come down” alongside Saba Magacha, Matthias Mhere, Takesure Ncube and Dudu Manhenga. As regards Matthias Mhere I now understand what the fuss is all about. With his three instrument back line: bass, keys and drums and two back vocalists, the folks love him. His songs are didactic without being preachy. Hands rapturously clasp as they sing along “Ndiye wazondiramba ka” with him. The diminutive Mhere is a dynamo. When he is done with his set, the fans holler his name for an encore. The MC has to allow the music to storm on.
“Nguva yenyasha” sings young Mhere and the crowd roars on after the boy has left the stage.
The Charambas take to stage and riff from their extensive catalogue of hit songs such as Ikoko and Its Your Mighty name. Their music is very much rooted in traditional rhythms and the band is accomplished and solid. Olivia Charamba has the stronger voice, a contralto that is distinctive. Tauya kuzomutenda works best on the crowd from their set before the Charambas exit with Buruka. 
Reverend Sasa finally comes on to announce Solly Mahlangu’s set but not before Takesure Zamar Ncube and Worship Addicts render their current hit Prayer for Zimbabwe. Thematically the song makes sense.
“Ndakangotsamwira mweya wetsvina,” speaks Reverend Sasa as he explains what the show is all about before leading the crowd in a benediction for the nation and its leadership.

Young minister of music Takesure Ncube and Worship Addicts seem to be bereft of the superstar complex that tends to canker the performances of gospel musicians or artists in general. Worship Addicts is gospel music without gimmickry or posturing. Theirs is visceral and engaging music. Worship Addicts are the definitive gospel act of the present moment. I have noticed it when artists get jaded about their art and put on the prima donna thing. It is hilarious because the fans make you as a performer. You need their energy to feed off. But when they do not chant your name or holler your song as they did with Solly Mahlangu,Matthias Mhere and Takesure Ncube, you need prayers.

Ultimately, you understand that the arts are a powerful catalyst for economic activity when you see touts selling paraphernalia in a venue by the hundreds to revellers and an astute corporate partner perched by the corner with a marquee tent selling fast food.