Majalisa holds on her own

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Monday December 20, 2010 00:00

Since her departure from Dalom Music stable many of her fans have, however, been wondering if the veteran musician can make it on her own.  Well, it is still early days, but on stage she does not need her former boss to shake her followers.

The stocky musician led a group of disco performers at the Magic King Club in Gabane on Friday and did not disappoint.  After a not-so-impressive performance by another disco group By4 whose backing band struggled to find the right tempo for the songs produced by late former producer, Penwell Kunene, Majalisa came to the stage to save the night.

With her charisma and strong personality the woman from Eastern Cape made sure the small crowd would have something to talk about after the show.  Evergreen in both vocals and dance moves, it took her just seconds to make revellers forget about the earlier disappointment and just got onto the groove.

What a better way to open her performance than with one of her favourite tracks Batsha.  In no time the fans were singing along and with her trademark smile.  She made sure they felt much part of the performance often lowering the microphone for the few lucky ones to get a chance to imitate her.

Many people had cast doubt even before the death of Kunene that his group, BY4, was doomed.  The all-girl quartet somehow proved the doubters with the release of Vuma recently, but their performance on Friday left a lot to be desired.

Lead singer Ivory Sikepe was very impressive in both dance and vocals but not the same could be said of her fellow band members, especially the backing band.

BY 4's music is a combination of Mbaqanga and slow beat disco, but Patrick Mthimkhulu and his crew seemed to be much in a hurry with every song.  Apparently, the band only had a day's rehearsal and it was showing in their performance.

Mthimkhulu is a talented musician and has left some fans in tears with his immaculate keyboard play before and with a good rehearsal they could bounce back strongly in Molapowabojang on Christmas Eve.

The spirit of Kunene lives on in his younger brother Bafana, who has been roped in to take over from his late sibling.  The lanky youngster has all the makings of a great musician with a powerful voice like the former Matshikos lead singer's.

While BY4 might have not started their first live show in eight years in style, they made some corrections with the song I Am A President and what an emotional moment for both the fans and the young Kunene who broke down in tears after the song.

It was as if his elder brother had just risen from the dead.  He had clearly impressed the fans, who went on to commend him after the performance.  He was scheduled to perform Penwell's songs live, but because of the show's late start fans can only hope to hear more of him in Molapowabojang.