Ludwe comes out of the shadows
Chippa Legodimo | Tuesday April 8, 2014 11:33
Apart from doing some back up work for one of the greatest African musicians of our generation, Branda Fassie, Maki has also worked with yesteryear star bands such as Cheek-To-Cheek and Mercy Phakela. Maki has also featured several times in Patricia Majalisa’s shows in the last two decades.
He has done a tribute album to the late Fassie called Hamba Nezindaba, which unfortunately had a lukewarm reception from the fans.
The musical journey has been one of difficulty for Maki who is now a resident in Botswana after taking a Motswana wife for himself.
His experience with various musicians has put him in good stead to easily traverse through different genres. The mixture he has created in his latest album Ziyakhipha, demonstrates this.
“I have worked with many great musicians all my life. I used the experience to come up with an album that will give fans an idea of the kind of musician I am. I am a versatile musician who likes adventure, but I would say this music is mostly disco with a little bit of Afro-pop,” he said.
The title track and the album itself according to the musician call for celebration of life, and embracing the challenges and opportunities it offers. In one of the songs Ziphinkomo, Maki sums up the challenges encountered by families who have to put up with their daughters being young out-of-wedlock mothers.
Often these young mothers are left to raise these children alone and the families have to bear the economic brunt as they try to help support the fatherless child.
After 22 years in the music industry this is only his second album.
“It is only now that I have managed to crack it and thank God Majalisa Music was ready to register me,” he said.
One of songs that should win the talented singer-dancer more fans is uBaba. UBaba is a disco track, which combines good instrumentation by producer Tando Zinto and the singer’s vocal variation.
Maki has remained behind giants he backed, but has finally come out shadows.