full story #Indications are that a good number of senior band members, most of whom who helped keep the band afloat for the past two years, are threatening to abandon ship. Questions have been raised as to why the same band members who managed to brave the difficult conditions that followed after Dhewa passed on are now all of a sudden considering terminating their marriage with the once flamboyant group, more so at a time when the young musician seems to have defined course for the band. Peter released his debut album last year, subtly putting to rest the pressure that had been mounting on him to prove his mettle. Though the album was received with mixed feelings by both Utakataka fans and music lovers at large, it sustained the musician’s live shows for some time resulting in good revenue generation for the ensemble. However, with indications that the country’s top musician, Suluman Chimbetu, Alick Macheso and Jah Prayzah are set to release their albums in April, attention has also automatically turned to Peter. His group, Utakataka Express, used to belong to Zimbabwe’s elite “big three” and this somehow justifies the attention. Fans want Peter to come up with a new product, one that is entirely his. This, they argue, is the only way that will reinvigorate their interest for Utakataka shows again. The notion has resulted in a sizeable number of Utakataka fans developing a wait-and-see approach. Most have since stopped gracing the shows, at least for now. And this is unfortunate because bands in Zimbabwe largely survive from live shows revenue. Against this background, Utakataka’s bottom line has fast been shrinking with each passing week. This has resulted in allowances and salaries for band members either being cut or delayed. With these and “other factors”, Utakataka band members have started exploring other options. One of the senior band members, Willard Loti, better known as Willo, who has already left the ensemble, said the prevailing tough situation at the band had forced him to take drastic measures. “I do have Utakataka at heart, but I am a family man who needs to earn a decent income so as to be able to support my family. The wages that we were getting had become too low and unsustainable,” he said. Willo added that prevailing economic hardships coupled with managerial factors were making it difficult for the Utakataka brand to grow. “The situation is a bit tight in the country and in turn Utakataka is not growing. Leaving the band to pursue other personal activities was the only reasonable option I had at my disposal,” he said. Tarabuka or simply Baba Gari, who was also contemplating parting ways with Utakataka only changed his mind on the eleventh hour. He said his love for the brand and nothing else, made him reconsider. However, he highlighted that there were some serious managerial problems that needed to be addressed within the band. “My wish is for Peter to get all the necessary support as he tries to find his footing in the demanding music industry,” he said. “It’s true I would have left the band together with Willo, but fans made me stay. However, I will not hesitate to say that Peter needs to be taught how to manage a band. Without this knowledge, it will always be difficult for him,” added the diminutive Baba Gari. Investigations by this publication indicate that the band was in disagreement over the sharing of gate-takings, which favoured Peter in an estimated 60:40 percent ratio. Some of the band members who also spoke to this reporter on condition of anonymity said the Young Igwe also needs to work on his character for the band to prosper. “Sometimes, due to his arrogance, he fails to listen or take note of our concerns. If he just develops a level head, he has the potential to go far,” said one band member, who declined to be named. However, the Utakataka Express boss believes all is well in his camp, to him the departure of one or two individuals does not mean chaos at the band. “As you know we have already found replacements for Willo after he left recently. Our shows are flowing smoothly, our fans are happy and we are not complaining,” said Peter. He added: “People are just exaggerating the situation on the ground and I think they should be considerate because just like any other bands, we have our ups and downs, but we will sail through.” With Peter being more of an effort rather than a talent musician like his father was, music critics fear that the departure of the seasoned instrumentalists might actually signal the death of the once illustrious outfit. This, they argue, is due to the fact that the instrumentalists have managed to cover up for the Young Igwe’s vocal flaws by producing a fabulous sound. With sympathy from music fans having run its course, one gets a feeling that it is now time for the young musician to pull up his socks
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 07:16:01 +0000
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