Billy Kaunda sings again

Billy Kaunda has announced his return to singing ways with Kapolo Wa Moyo; JAMES CHAVULA runs the rule over the album.

Is Billy Kaunda’s comeback worth the wait? This is the writing on the wall following the release of three singles—Mwachisomo, Ndinazolowera and Mulungu Andizolowera—from the musician-cum-politician’s 12th album, Kapolo Wa Moyo, this week.

From its coming, the questions are plenty: Is Billy still a musician? Is the comeback album better than Skeffa Chimoto’s Chikondi which also hit the airwaves on Monday? Are his songs political or advice-giving?

This reception is expected. The one-time bestselling musician, currently Member of Parliament for Mzimba West, last album, Mudzandikumbukire, arrived in 2010. During the hiatus, he became deputy minister of tourism, lands, sports and tourism. Before leaving Cabinet in May last year, the artist who debuted on high with Mwapindulanji in 1998, confessed being too busy to record or perform music.

“I’m still around. I am still the same old musician. I have not changed,” says Billy of his return.

Truly, Kapolo wa Moyo brings same old touch and approach to gospel themes that are deeper than what some widely accepted gospel artists bring to Comesa Hall, Robin’s Park and Sheaffer Marque on Sundays.

For instance, the cover track is the confession of human-kind’s worst weakness—always chasing vanities, wanting more and craving for niceties unaware of what fate has in store. Like the Biblical King Solomon, the persona prays for wisdom to keep endless wants in check and see the way.

On Mwachisomo, he pays homage to matchless God who created his heart which is still pumping without fail, feet that hardly suffer wear and tear like tyres, blood that flows freely, bones that need no lubrication and a face that is distinct in a world that is said to be overpopulated.

“He created, chose and fortified me in his grace,” goes the song, which seamlessly transitions into Mulungu Anditsogolera—a tribute to God the guide.

A vibrant reggae number, Mulungu Anditsogolera was composed by former Israel Choir cantor Captain Kelly in the early 1980, when Billy was part of Jerusalem Baptist Choir. Later, the two dumped their groups to form Prophets Acapella. They reunite on Kapolo Wa Moyo album, with Kelly and Donald Custom on backing vocals, Peter Likhomo on bass guitar, Collen Ali on leader guitar, Rick Deja on saxophone  and Joseph Tembo on keyboards.

Custom, Likhomo and Ali are regulars on Billy’s offering. Apart from Mwapindulanji and Mudzandikumbukire, other albums include Mwapindulanji, Alibe Mau, Muyime Kaye, Agalatiya, Ku Babulo, Tigonjerane, Mau Angawa, Dandaulo Limveke, Mukayika Kodi and Ndine Yemwe Uja.

On the upcoming release, Ndinazolowera is a one-off. For those who think Billy is gone and buried in politics, this could be a masked response. The persona praises God for opening a new door while ridiculing those who wish him dead.

“Munayesetsa kuti ndivutike, mbuye sanafune/

Inu mumati ndatha, mbuye anatsekula khomo/ misecheyanu yasanduka mdalitso,” it goes.

Clearly, this is the triumphant song of a heart that is not being badmouthed, repressed, trapped and pulled down for the first time.  My falls will fall in the pits they dig to trap me, the song says. On the lower side, the vocals and rhythm of Ndinazolowera delicately resemble Mudzandikumbukire.

“The resemblance is Billy’s signature, something from his choir background,” says his brother Mkakeni of Lydia Girl fame.

And Billy agrees: “I don’t know what Malawians mean when they call a musician secular or gospel, but Zambians say I am a gospel artist. That’s my music.”

He denies ever abandoning the art, saying being a musician is not about releasing albums every year, but having the talent. He reckons some of the songs date from his ministerial era and were only recorded for three weeks last month.

“Throughout the break, I have been composing songs, following how my colleagues are doing and trends of piracy,” he says.

A graduate of Lucius Banda’s Zembani Music Company, Billy traces his roots to Balaka beat which has been overtaken by fast-paced, lightweight reggae beat fashioned by Phungu Joseph Nkasa in 2002.

However, he says his music is not about following market trends, but being who he is.

“I’ve a unique style and those who like it buy my albums,” says the man behind 2001 top-selling hit album, Muyime Kaye.

The former minister was also thankful that through music he has become well-known and entrusted with positions of power. In 2004, he was elected MP for Blantyre City South East at the peak of Agalatiya which blatantly condemned the reign of terror, hunger, favouritism and corruption which characterised the ending of Bakili Muluzi’s rule. In 2009, he switched to Mzimba West.

He says the release of Kapolo wa Moyo  is not timed to get his constituents to dance to his re-election tune, saying: “Music really has the power to sway people’s views, but what pleases the whole country may not make Mzimba West residents vote me back to Parliament.”

He plans to launch the album in all regions by December.