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The first thing that strikes anyone who listens to April Samuel Ramufhi's new album,Vhavenda vha lale, is the front cover. The legendary Afro-beat guitarist's picture is taken in profile, which possibly corresponds with the ambiguous meaning of the title of this project.
The title is quite tricky, since it does not translate easily into English because it carries the raw idiom of the original Tshivenda language.
In the song Vhavenda vha lale, Ramufhi warns the listener that he is not saying that all Vhavenda people must sleep or rest, but that he is speaking about his father. However, his lyrics cannot be taken literally, particularly when he still remains the mirth-filled April Samuel Ramufhi, who promises to kick Jonny in the song Ndi do ni raha Jonny.
The album comprises nine songs, among them Muthotho, Donngo mmbeteni, Majantiby, Enosi, and house-beat remixes of Vhavenda vha lale and Tshanda tshi a levha. “I allowed the two young men to remix two of my songs for house fans, because I hold the view that music should cater for all people,” he said.
The project's chief producer, Ishmael 'newBreed' Rammbwa, said that working with Ramufhi was always a great pleasure. “He is a highly skilled and talented old man who knows what to give a producer, so that, at the end of the day, people out there get good music,” he said. “We believe this album will make a mark out there.”
The 74-year-old Ramufhi is one of many artists who, many years ago, recorded one or two tracks with the old Radio Venda in Polokwane for airplay. The problem with the whole process was that an artist was merely given a single copy of the single or two tracks to play for family and friends.
In 2013, his talent was recorded and made available to the public by Ballitainment Media, with Rammbwa the producer. That project was titled Tshanda tshi a levha, and he was nomited for several music awards for it.
Vhavenda vha lale is available from selected music stores, but those who find it difficult to access his music can call 071 193 4129 or 076 142 5703. Ramufhi lives at Muraleni village in the Sinthumule area.
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April Samuel Ramufhi, a guitarist par excellence.
By: Tshifhiwa Mukwevho
Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho was born in 1984 in Madombidzha village, not far from Louis Trichardt in the Limpopo Province. After submitting articles for roughly a year for Limpopo Mirror's youth supplement, Makoya, he started writing for the main newspaper. He is a prolific writer who published his first book, titled A Traumatic Revenge in 2011. It focusses on life on the street and how to survive amidst poverty. His second book titled The Violent Gestures of Life was published in 2014.
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