NORTON – Friends of Tuku Music have sent congratulatory messages to the Mtukudzi family, Tuku Music and Pakare Paye Arts Centre on the launch of Cheziya, an album by Sam Mtukudzi published posthumously.

Cheziya, Sam’s second album after his debut Rume Rimwe in 2007, was officially launched here on Wednesday at a business luncheon for record retailers hosted by Tuku and wife Daisy at Pakare Paye Arts Centre.

Andy Baird, who was the last person to work with Sam in the studio and mixed the sound on Cheziya, said: “I spent the last week of Sam’s life with him in the studio. Lots of people call themselves artists when in fact they are not.

Left: Sam Mtukudzi

Sam was a real artist in every respect. One thing that our generation lacked was father figures to encourage us develop our talent. Sam was lucky to have a great father…a tribute to Oliver. It touches us that Sam and Owen were to leave us something in the form of Cheziya. It was an honour for me to be involved in Sam’s life.”

Left: Sam Mtukudzi's favourite colours were black and white. His mother Daisy decorated nearly everything in those colours at the launch venue of Cheziya.

Martha Badza of Ay Band, who provided backing vocals on Cheziya and one of Sam’s longest serving band member, said: “Sam should have been here talking about his own album and narrate the story of the sweat behind the production. But we know what and who inspired the album – it was his mother who distasted lazy people and wanted Sam to work hard in life. Our father Tuku and Mai Mtukudzi have continued supporting us earn a living. They didn’t abandon us because their own son is late. Sam must be happy today to see us continue with his legacy. Very few young artists are blessed and lucky to have the support of the caliber of Tuku Music.”

Omen Muza, an old friend of Tuku Music, said: “Sam is definitely smiling in acknowledgment of the launch which is both an act of completion and celebration. When you are still hard at work on something important to you, the act of pausing and wiping sweat off your brow is a very personal sometimes lonely experience. Despite its apparent insignificance on the time it is performed, paunotora befu, when the work is done and you invite friends to witness the fruits of your toil, that is when you realize the significance of the moment. It is the proudest moment of anyone who dares create something.”

Tuku in his tribute to his son said: “As Sam’s father I looked at my son and saw in him the future. I consulted Sam on so many occasions when I ran out of ideas myself and this was regardless of Sam having been just a young man. Sam worked throughout nights during the recording of Cheziya as if he knew he would leave us and wanted to complete the album before his departure. The arrangement and the lyrical compositions on the album are clear testimony of the artistic ingenuity of my son.”

Sam died tragically in a car accident in Harare in March together with his childhood friend and sound engineer Owen Chimhare. They were laid to rest side by side in the capital.

Below are pictures from the launch celebration. – Shepherd Mutamba/tukumusik.com

	National Arts Deputy Director Nick Moyo and music promoters and businessmen Josh Hozheri and Partson 'Chipaz' Chimboza on the sidelines of the launch today.
Daisy and radio personality Bridget Gavanga at the launch.

Daisy leads guests during lunch at the launch of Cheziya.	Tuku and Daisy (far left) with guests at the launch of Cheziya.

Retailers buy copies of Cheziya and merchandise at the album launch.	AY Band's Martha breaks down as pays tribute to Sam.