HARARE - Seasoned music lecturer and promoter Wellington “Bitumba” Maruta has released a six-track debut album that he claims will show Zimbabweans what genuine rhumba music is all about.
The former Morgan Zintec College music lecturer says his album Rwemandorokwati demonstrates that he can practise what he taught in schools and colleges for a long time.
“I have decided at long last to come out of my cocoon and introduce the real rhumba genre in the country,” said the 46-year-old-artiste who leads a band called Musique De I’ Afrique.
“Music is my life. I have taught music in several schools in addition to helping a number of musical groups in the country for many years.”
The Gweru-born and Chitungwiza-bred musician released two singles off the just-released album last year to gauge interest in his music project.
“The two songs Wadarirei and Wakanga Uripi received an overwhelming response on the market and I am now convinced that I am destined for bigger things. The positive response I got from the two songs gave me the courage to release the album,” he said.
Tracks on Rwemandorokwati are Mudiwa Wangu, Matare, Malaika, Wakange Uripi, Unodarireiko and Malaika instrumental.
Maruta’s album contains songs in Swahili, Lingala, Bemba and Shona.
“All members of my group are foreigners and most of them hail from the Democratic Republic of Congo that is why we use several languages on the album to accommodate different audiences,” he said.
The veteran music teacher, however, says the release of his debut album does not mean that he is plunging into music full time.
“I am currently a principal manpower development officer in government and as such music is a part time job,” said the former manager of Smoko musician Lee Roy Lunga and the late Shadreck Muchabiwa who fronted the Zimzam.com band.
