Gigantic Malawi musical silence in 2014

It is a striking coincidence. As the year 2014 draws on a close, there is no album from Malawi’s music heavyweights. This is in stark contrast to last year when the giants released their albums, at times back-to-back.

This year goes without Lucius Banda who last came with Time in March last year. That same month, Anthony Makondetsa brought Fuko Lokondedwa, his seventh album which won him musician of the year at the Malawi Music Awards.

That same year, acoustic duo Edgar ndi Davis invigorated Malawi with their fourth album, Energy Saver.

For soulful Maskal, his latest release Umunthu, was done in 2012 and his yet-to-be-named album will be out next year.

In May last year, Chileka group Black Missionaries came with Kuimba 9 while Afro R&B artist Lulu came withNdakudziwa in September. Not to be outdone, Skeffa Chimoto brought Chikondi in December.

This year, the silence is deafening, the dryness desert-like. The silence is absolutely choral.

For Lucius Banda, who is also Member of Parliament for Balaka North Constituency, the silence was inevitable, the journey to the august House prior to the tripartite elections in May hampered his creative mind.

“I write most of my songs in January and February. With the campaign for the polls in May, I had no time to compose. Certainly, I will be back next year,” said Lucius, who has 17 albums to his credit.

The versatile Lulu says he cannot force himself to release an album every year. When the muse deserts him, nothing will cook from his Mathumela Studios.

“I can only release songs when I am fully satisfied they are up to scratch. I can take up to five years without releasing an album until I am double sure I have music to give people a treat,” he said.

Sharing that line of thought, Makondetsa, who usually releases an album every two years, says music must mature before it is brought to the public. It took him four years to release Fuko Lokondeka, since his sixth album, Mbumba ya Abraham was a 2009 production.

He is sure there is no album on the cards this year. Yet, he is not so sure one will be out next year.

“I take two or more years to finalise an album. I am not sure if I will release an album next year but if I finish works, people will know. I can go into the studios next year or in 2016. I cannot promise,” said Makondetsa.

Black Missionaries’ band leader Anjiru Fumulani said although 2014 is ending without the group producing an album, the music will be rolling next year, as the Blacks celebrate their 15 years anniversary.

Tight local and international schedules, Fumulani says, kept them from the studios. According to Fumulani, the band held more shows internationally this year than ever before.

“Kuimba 10 will be out next year. We are glad that people are still enjoying the music from Kuimba 9. You don’t have to bombard people with music every year just for the sake of it,” he said.

The Blacks frontman felt the group’s international tours have helped them learn one or two things. It has also helped, he said, to cook more music.

“Not only have we been shooting music videos. We have also spotted studios we can work with. In fact, we have recorded a live rendition of Rastaman’s Wife [originally in Kuimba 4] which will be a bonus track in Kuimba 10,” he said.

Nonetheless, he said, Khonzie Masimbe, one of the Blacks’ curtain-raisers will launch his album on November 23. The gap, he said, helps other artists to bring out their works.

True to that, 2014 has seen Lawi (real name Francis Phiri) releasing Lawi on his 28th birthday in January. The album contained the hit song Amaona Kuchedwa and Whistling Song whose video was nominated for the All Africa Music Awards.

Musicians Union of Malawi hip hop artist of the year 2013 Gwamba last month launched his debut album. So did another debutant, Nesnes with Nthawi Yafika. The two artists released their albums from the Prime Time Media.

Code Sangala aka C.O. last Saturday launched his solo act: Solo The Album.

Dan Lu will on December 5 launch his fifth album, Sorry in Blantyre after a two-year silence.

As the pin-drop silence continues from the giants, it seems, there is a shoulder on which Malawian music lovers can cry on.