A date with Tuku at HIFA 2008

Its carnival time again as the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) roars into life at the end of April…and Tuku will not be missing in action. Tuku returns to HIFA showcasing his new concept where he now fuses the traditional mbira and marimba instruments with his acoustic, drum and bass enriching his sound to give it the much sought after African traditional flair.

So, there certainly is a new Tuku experience in the waiting for the multitudes of HIFAmigos who will pack the festival venue, at the Harare Gardens, for the grand finale performance where Tuku will be joined on stage by friends from the region, the Sephumas etc. And, of course, there is a chance for the HIFAmigos to sample some of the stuff from Tuku’s Dairai album – his 56th album that should be out soon.

Dairai is a diversity of sound from the upbeat dance style to some purely listeners’ music. The album strikes a chord in many hearts and touches the soul in different ways too as Tuku presses ahead drawing his lines from social themes that shape and affect the world today. Dairai album is the first record where Tuku, in his career spanning over nearly 30 years, has fused the traditional instruments – a new sound the whole world must be looking for. Meanwhile Tuku also performs at the Chimanimani Arts Festival up the eastern Highlands on April 18. Make a date! – tukumusic.com