Over 20 years ago, the song Kuchimwa Kulibe Mwini was a household name. It used to blast every radio station and the name behind the hit song Enort Mbandambanda could fill up venues due to his populality.
The song words “Kuchimwa kulibe mwini, ngakhale akulu amachimwanso…” were so popular as they resonated with many Malawians. The song which talked about sin and how everyone is prone to sin and makes mistakes made the artist an overnight star.
But after years of being top, the living music legend Enort Spear Mbandambanda went on sabbatical in 2004. Now after 20 years, he is making a comeback with four songs.
“I am back and I hope I can make a connection with my fans again,” he said.
Mbandambanda said the four singles which have been produced at M Studios in Naperi, Blantyre by Steve Meleka comes after 20 years of inactivity. He released his last album in 2004 titled Ubwerere which was produced by the late Chuma Soko at MC Studio in the commercial capital, Blantyre.
He said: “The four singles are about adding voice of voiceless as well as romance. They include Sausage Yanga, My Beloved One and Attention which pleads with a well-to-do woman to understand my intention to love her not because of her money. I did Kwathu a song which pleaded with Malawians not to kill or abduct people living with albinism. The song also denounces murders and abuse of elderly people usually accused of witchcraft.”
The artist has also produced another song titled Tiyankheni which is a prayer to God.
“The protagonist is pleading with God asking why he is not making progress in life despite praying and fasting including going up in mountains,” he said.
The songs were produced by Meleka, but all backing voices were provided by Indonga, another creative who also wrote the song Attention.
“Currently, I have produced a video for Sausage Yanga with the help of my manager Cosmas Chiwalo who received funding from a well-wisher from the United States of America,” he said.
The artist saidhe plans to shoot a video of the other song, Attention, soon.
“I will need more money for dancers as I planned to shoot it in three locations of Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mwanza,” said Mbandambanda.
According to the artist, he has revived his own band Kuunika despite having the challenge in accessing musical instruments.
“At the moment we have to hire the instruments everytime we perform, but I know soon we will have our own,” he said.
On his part, Chiwalo clarified that he is not managing Mbandambanda, but just helping him because he is a brother-in-law.
Chiwalo said he was approached by a well wisher a Malawian based in USA to assist Mbandambanda, adding that he is like a bridge between the two.
On his part, Meleka said it was a great honour to work with a person who knows what to do in music industry.
He said despite sharing ideas with Mbandambanda, it shows that the artist is matured enough unlike other musicians who give him headache when recording.
Commenting on the development, another living music legend, Charles Sinetre popularly known as the Reggae Ambassador, said Mbandambanda was born with a good voice.
He said: “Mbandambanda is the voice of voiceless who always composes songs of advocating for vulnerable people. Most of us understand love in three folds as we have the love of God, love among people and finally romantic love. So, this song is about cementing all the three types of love mentioned. He deserves full support to make a proper comeback.”
Sinetre said apart from talent, Mbandambanda is a unique artist who knows what to do on stage.
“I believe he will survive on stage. I just hope he will acquire his own equipment soon because it is very expensive to hire,” he said.
Mbandambanda came into the music circle in 1998 with Kuchimwa kulibe mwini produced at IY Studio in Balaka by Paul Banda courtesy of Lucius Banda. In 2000 he produced Ndapita at MC Studio by the late Chuma Soko in Blantyre.
In 2003, he produced another album called Mwaonjeza at IY Studio again by the same producer Paul Banda and again in 2004 he released Ubwerere at MC studio by the late Soko again.
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