JOHANNESBURG  – Tuku has released his 60th album Abi’angu (Duets Of My Time) celebrated at a huge party - the One Night In Africa Concert - at Carnival City here and attended by over 4 000 fans.

^ Tuku with the Jaziel Brothers performing Ma Afrika

Abi’angu is a compilation of duets Tuku did with friends Judith Sephuma, Cesaria Evora, Ringo Madlingozi, Phinda and Mahube, Jaziel Brothers, Siphokazi, Maureen Lilanda, Mutubambile Choir, JK, Afro Tenors, Eric Wainaina, Kudzai Sevenzo, Charles Chiweshe, Willom Tight and XQ.

Abi’angu is a bumper collection with a good 15 tracks. The CD went on sale in South Africa on Saturday and will be released in Zimbabwe soon.

The album was recorded in various studios with different artists and producers in many countries over the years.

Particularly new tracks on the CD are Rangu Jana which Tuku did with Siphokazi and Ma Afrika collaborated with Jaziel Brothers.

Says Tuku about Abi’angu: “My friends, I cannot have a duet song with myself. It can only be a duet with a friend. Your heart which is so close to me, just as mine is to yours, can only be this close by accepting each other. Thank you for being such a friend forever and for the friendship that will be forever even after our lives are spent. People may forget that we are friends when we are gone but with the recorded duets like these, the memories of our close ties will live on forever.

“There are many who I call friends who don’t appear on this album, please believe that you are not forgotten and our friendship goes the same. I am proud to be your friend. I pray and hope these duets will serve their purpose towards making our fans the good friends we have become and are.

“I thank God almighty for the many friendships and relationships I enjoy with both my extended musical family as well as my large family of fans and the public at large who appreciate my music. I love you all and we will forever be friends.”

Tuku performed with Jaziel Brothers their collaboration Ma Afrika before teaming up with Chimurenga music legend Thomas Mapfumo here from the United States promoting his latest album Exile.

They performed together Mapfumo’s song Are You Ready For The Music a track yet to be released.
To our huge family of fans and friends who celebrated with us on Saturday night, many thanks. Be blessed always. – Shepherd Mutamba / tukumusik.com