This morning I woke up nostalgic. I’m thinking about the good old times of the 70s. I want to relive those days in a kicking kind of way. And I’m going back on stage in search again of that golden era that roots my music.

It’s all about paying tribute to history…paying homage to the generous passage of time that has allowed me to write and perform to this day. It’s a way too of saluting people who have traveled with me and inspired me to compose during this rigorous journey of music over 35 years. Without people there is nothing to write and to sing about. People make music.

I’m evoking the spirit of the 70s, recalling the good old days.

Rare Shows

So, I’m planning for 2010 staging two rare shows in Harare end of January that I’m dedicating especially to the 70s…80s.

What this means is that the shows will feature my repertoire of live music from the 70s into the 80s. I’ll not dress in today’s designer outfits and that whole lot but will go on stage in my costumes styled from the fashion of the 70s. Everything about me that night will be styled the old way…the bell-bottom pants that I used to wear on stage…the tight revos…the high-heeled shoes. Oh, those shoes Lord, they made me really, really look lanky! The only fashion, from that era, that I’ll not be sporting is the bushy afro-hair. But I’ll perhaps grow my old-style shaggy beard just for the shows.

I want everything about the shows to be truly memorable for those who experienced my music in the 1970s and for the younger generations to share with me the experiences of our heyday. I want to touch base with the past in a lively way during the two one-off shows that will certainly change the face of entertainment in January.

And will I also revisit my old dance routines - the way I used to do it in the 70s and 80s? Well, it’s for the fans to see and judge for themselves at the shows. 

Most of us (musicians) have January as our traditional holiday but we’re saying January will, this time around, be business as usual for us. There’s no reason for us to stop and we’re not stopping. It’s full-blast in January.

If everything goes to plan I want selected friends, from that era, to join me on stage at the two shows.

But particularly for the fans, I want to travel with them back to the 70s in style. I will be asking them to come dressed in attire – costumes, shoes, hairstyles et cetera from that period. We may have to seek sponsors to give away prizes to fans sporting the best outfits from the 70s. Now, I think that’s starting the year with great fun with the fans I love.

Country Tour

Still on my Zimbabwean fans I can reveal now that my focus in 2010 is staging shows across the country. We had scaled down shows in Harare in 2009 but because of the huge demand we have had to revisit that arrangement and do more in Harare whenever our international obligations allowed.

So, our fans in Masvingo, Bindura, Kwekwe, Gweru, Kadoma, Chinhoyi, Hwange, Bulawayo can expect us there in 2010. We’re coming your way. We miss you…I miss you, honestly, after all these years of absence there that is why I’ve planned 2010 with you in mind. We’ve had promoters taking us to these towns but we realize that if we wait for them (promoters) we’ll starve our fans, so we are taking the initiative ourselves to travel out.

World Tour

Of course, towards the end of 2010, thereabout, I’ll also launch a world tour after the recording of an album of classics from some of my music from the 70s/80s that I believe have stood the test of time to this date. These songs have proved popular with audiences across the world and I want to package them into a CD and tour the world.

New Release

Finally due for release in 2010 is Duets of My Time (Abiyangu) which edges me closer to my 60th album.

Abiyangu (friends in the Zimbabwean vernacular shona language) has been on the cards for some time now. I’m re-recording some of the songs on the album with an internationally renowned a cappella group and a diva from somewhere in South Africa. I can’t name the two as yet but watch this space soon! I want to have 12 tracks on the album but I’m in a quandary as there are 22 numbers to choose from. Some of the duets are with Wainana, Ivora, Ringo, Maureen Lilanda, Owiyo, Willom Tight, Pastor Bonnie…the list is long, really.

Format

From time to time from 2010 onwards I’ll be taking different formats from the usual full band. Fans will be seeing me performing in a trio, sometimes in a duet and sometimes solo too. Different formats like these give sound wide variety and soul to certain of my numbers. The flavour is completely different and refreshing when it’s done in different formats. The change in format, in other words, exposes music to a much wider world. I’ve tried the different formats and the response has been phenomenal.         

Film

On the side of film my passion for the silver screen never dies for sure. I’ll premiere in 2010 my fourth film Sarawoga (adapted from Sarawoga by NAMA award winner Elias C. Machemedze, directed by Watson Chidzomba and produced by Oliver Mtukudzi).
I’m currently working on the original sound track for the film that should be done by the end of this year and we premiere next year.

Thank you

To all our great fans, thank you for the unwavering support during 2009. Friends of Tuku Music, the diplomatic community, arts/culture bodies, regional airlines, the corporate sector, our business associates…thank you too. Music promoters and record companies, we salute you also. The Press, radio and television, internet-based arts/culture publications…big up guys!

From me Oliver Mtukudzi, my wife Daisy and everyone at Tuku Music and Pakare Paye Arts Centre…Merry Christmas and a hugely fruitful New Year. - tukumusik.com