Josphat Somanje has always had talent

Music

Tuesday, 12 January 2010 09:42

artsinitiates writer - To many people Josphat Somanje is rising but to those who know Pengaudzoke, he is just doing what he has always done and winning both the song of the year on Radio Zimbabwe and then the video of the year does not make much difference. Josphat, the other half of the 'wild' Pengaudzoke whose lyrics dealt with rustic life had just been unfortunate when he fell sick, lost a wife and then had a rape case against him but he has always had the talent.In fact, he is the Pengaudzoke while his older brother Daiton came on when Josphat was already there. For some other reason, fate had punished Josphat like the Biblical Job who lost everything as a result of God and Satan's argument to prove the poor man's faith and allegiance.He too like Job served his term and now he is back where he belongs - the top - with his album Handibvume (Haulume) whose lyrics are nothing but the truth about what love has become in most homes.  It's not difficult to identify with the song because it speaks to you and me. It's in the mould of comedian Steve Makoni's Handiende but the woman this time does not justify the existence of children as the reason for her stay. She stands her ground daring the man to take her back where she found her after swallowing his children.She says once he takes her back, he would know that she is not interested in him and that he will not succeed. This is a challenge to any man. In any case who wants a woman to tell him that she does not care?There are other songs - good songs - on the album. Maggie Mukaranga for example makes the grade so does Eniya, Kwete Kuvatendera as well as Jorijo.This is not serious sungura as compared to other sunguras. Pengaudzoke is known for its light beat that goes along with the falsetto voices. It's more along the lines of the late John Chibadura's beat.