Karonga-based Lusubilo Band, will launch their debut album Ubalire this weekend.
The Afro-pop group, established seven years ago, gave an impressive live performance last weekend during Faith Mussa’s album launch at Bingu International Conventional Centre (Bicc) in Lilongwe.
The nine-man band will unveil their 12-track album at Lusubiro Music Centre in Karonga on Saturday August 11 and the following day the album launch will take them to Boma Park in Mzuzu.
The band’s project manager Noah Mtumbuka said the journey so far has been exciting minus the challenges they have faced, including people’s resistance to embrace their type of music.
“It has been a long journey with both ups and downs. But we kept on pushing until we won over the support of Malawians. It has been a journey with lots of stories to tell,” he said on their impending album launch.
They have previously managed to put out two live DVDs which they recorded in South Korea and Malawi titled Africa Inuka (Africa Wake Up) which was the first and Sing For Hope.
Mtumbuka explained: “In the album, we are talking about many issues ranging from the beauty of nature, hardships that orphaned children are facing and the social economic problems that Malawi is facing.”
The band comprises band leader Chigomezgo Nyasulu, Madalitso Zembere, Nulu Mwale, Limbani Munthali, Stanley Mvoso, Martin Botha, Praise Kaluwa, Mordan Kaluwa and Winnie Msowoya, the only female.
Music commentator and critic Sam Chibaka said: “This band is a breath of fresh air on the Malawi music scene. The country’s music lovers have grown tired of the monotonous manner which several acts keep bringing them. This is Lusubiro’s time to shine.
“Their stage energy is electrifying. It is an absolutely professional band. This may be their time to shine.”
Established in 2012 with support from retired professor of the Korean National University of Arts, Agnes Kim, herself a former opera singer, the band has made great strides having already bagged two separate band of the year awards in 2012 and 2014..
Faith Mussa will be the supporting act. n
