Legendary Adziambei Band addresses social issues in latest album

Read: 5101

Tshivenda music lovers are in for a treat and can start the new year on a high note, following the release of another album by the legendary and iconic Tshivenda music outfit, Adziambei Band. The album, titled “Mihwalo Vol 19”, was released on Friday, 12 January.

Having been in the music industry for 40 years, the band continues to produce Tshivenda music that educates, informs, and uplifts the Vhavenda culture and traditions. Their latest offering, which follows closely on the heels of their previous very successful album “Gwengwelele Vol 18,” contains eight tracks, of which four are only instrumental. The list includes the hit songs “Mihwalo” (title track), “Ritshimbila na Yeso”, “Skhumba”, and “Ndi tshi Lovha”.

Band founder Mr Maele Sirwali explained that the title of the album refers to the realities the country is faced with, especially the Vhembe District. “There is no peace here. The number of killings in the area is growing rapidly, and nothing is being done to stop it. People kill each other with no remorse these days,” he said.

He said that the band had kept its uniqueness since it had first started in 1983 through their continued use of traditional components in their music while incorporating Western instruments to keep up with the times. “We have created music that appeals to both young and older generations by skilfully balancing a commercial awareness of both classic and current forms. We are confident that our latest album will perform well, just like our earlier hit albums, like ‘Midzimu Ya Madimoni’, ‘Vho Enzhelina’, and ‘Shango Lo Takala’, among others,” Sirwali said.

The album, recorded at Burning Shak Studio and mastered by Mulalo Mukwevho, will soon be available on all music digital platforms, such as YouTube, Amazon, Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Tidal, Deezer, Pandora, and Boomplay.

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019. He currently writes on a freelance basis, covering human rights issues, court news and entertainment.