By Jonk wa Mashamba
Editor-In-Chief
news@alexreporter.co.za
In this excellent album, Volume 12, Morris Mshengu Chavalala worked alongside Timbeva for Life, Thomas Mashimbye, Grace Chavalala as manager and Evans Mabasa.
Mshengu played lead and bass with Evans and Timbeva playing keyboards. The muso who currently lives in Alex, wrote all six songs which include Timangwa, Mali yiya malini, Valala va mina, Vaka Chavalala Part 2, Ku siyiwa hi mutswari and Wa hlayisa nkatanga.
The album was recorded at Cubase 5 Studio in the village of Muswani, Limpopo where Mshengu was born.
By means of songs, Mshengu teaches and advises people on the importance of Ubuntu and decent behaviour. “In this album, every song has great messages that can teach a person something,” he says.
Mshengu, known only for performing live music, started singing at a young age in 1989. That’s when George Maluleke (legendary Tsonga musician ) came to Muswani Primary School to perform.
“Then, when he finished and left our area, I started a band with Timbeva and the band was called Tinsizwa ta makhwiri.”
His dream is to help the upcoming artists to produce and participate in music festivals.
Mshengu used to share stages with Marhoya Chauke, who was part of the live band Swibi swa ndhuma (the band he co-founded), Timbeva, Dr Thomas Chauke, Ray Phiri, Huge Masekela, amongst others.
“For aspiring musicians, gift alone is not enough, you have to work hard to polish it and keep learning. Youth need to take their future seriously and move away from substances because they destroy the future,” he said.
Mshengu says he is ready to help those who would like assistance musically.
“They may bring their demos to Gramocha Music Production, we will listen to them and decide.”