AS contemporary Afro-fusion ensemble Mokoomba got on stage at the 2013 Harare International festival of Arts (HIFA), the anticipation of the performance to come was palpable, one could almost touch it.
The euphoria preceding the performance was infectious.
Mathias Muzaza on opening his mouth and the lyrics of the first song escaping hooked the crowd.
One was instantly reminded of Malian superstar Salif Keita.
Mokoomba that grabbed the limelight in 2008 when they won the regional competition, Music Crossroads International, in Lilongwe, Malawi, remains little known in local music circles.
Good as the band is, it has not found fame locally.
They have been shunned by local promoters, so it appears.
In an interview, band manager Marcus Gora recently bemoaned the lack of support locally.
Although the group has not attracted local attention, the world, particularly Europe, cannot have enough of Mokoomba.
Presently, the group is touring Europe and will perform in 10 countries, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
“It has been a great experience for the band thus far as they continue to engage new audiences and gain valuable experience performing at the international stage and sharing Zimbabwean music and culture,” said Gora.
The Victoria Falls-based group has been labelled by many European bloggers and reviewers as the best thing to come out of Africa and Zimbabwe after the Bhundu Boys.
Hopefully this group will not one day ‘disappear’ with nothing to show for their current international fame.
Twenty-eight years ago, precisely in May 1986, five young men arrived at London’s Gatwick Airport from Zimbabwe to share their talent.
Within a year, the Bhundu Boys had conquered British music sharing the stage with the queen of pop Madonna at Wembley and signing on to one of the biggest labels in the world Warner Brothers.
Yet within a decade, three of the five would be dead, along with one of their replacements.
They had the fame and international accolades, but had nothing to show for it years later.
Today one of their members is a farmhand in Scotland and little is known about another back home.
Like the Bhundu Boys, Mokoomba has won international acclaim, clinching an award at the Songlines Music Awards and a ZIMAA award in the UK.
“So far the band has already played in Australia and New Zealand where they were performing at the WOMAD festivals,” Gora said.
“In Austria, Belgium, Denmark and Norway, they performed at premier world music venues.”
Mokoomba is expected back home next week as they are concluding their tour with concerts in Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland.
Hopefully, the group’s fame will translate to significant fortune that will transform their lives and their families.