Mulangeni Sounds was a force to reckon with in the music industry in the past years.
Their songs such as ‘Kwathu Ku Mulangeni’ ‘Namwali’ and ‘Juju’ enjoyed massive airplay.
But after their exploits, the group disappeared from the limelight with some quarters indicating Mulangeni Sounds had died a natural death.
But the Mangochi-based group is still intact although with some new faces.
One of the members of the group Goodwell Thunga said Wednesday that Mulangeni Sounds has just finalised working on a new album titled Wakumva Amve.
Thunga, a graduate of the University of Malawi – Chancellor College and used to perform with a colleague as Mapatenala, said the album will be released in July.
He added that some of the songs in the album namely, ‘Chule Wa Mphere’ ‘Chidule’ and ‘Mumatinena’ have already been released.
“The album actually will include redos of ‘Juju,’ ‘Namwali’ and ‘Kwa Ku Mulangeni’ which were released in the mid 90s,” Thunga said.
He said the album was recorded at Clean Hearts Studio by Viwe Chibwana and directed by Funghie Mutsinze.
“It’s been some time but Mulangeni Sounds is there and we have been performing in some shows but not as vibrant as we were in the past years,” Thunga said.
The other members of the forgotten Mulangeni Sounds are Christopher Chishimbi, who is the band leader, Mervin Kambale, Prince Valamanja, Edward Matola and Yusuf Mdala.
Thunga said the band has performed twice at the Sound and Light concert at Sunbird Livingstonia in Salima and Zitherepano in Mangochi.
He also said that the band played at Zitherepano as a resident for close to five months until last November.
“We are trying as much as possible to come out and reclaim our position. And despite the apparent dormancy, the band is fully in shape and in touch with the current trends in the music sector. And we can ably say that we can withstand the heat,” Thunga said.
With Valamanja and Mdala on vocals, Thunga said the band has experienced members.
“The band leader and lead guitarist was originally born in DRC and has stayed in Malawi for close to 20 years. He played with Bolingo Stars and had a stint with Lucius Banda’s Zembani Band. He has been with Mulangeni Sounds for more years, so it’s a band with experienced members,” he said.
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