Inside The Legacy Of James Chimombe.

By Dickson Bandera

Music of the late veteran musician, James Chimombe, has stood the test of time due to its richness and the history behind it is an epic story that merits a place in the history of Zimbabwean music.

Hits such as “Jemedza,” “Cecilia,” “Kudakwashe,” “Bindura” “Jikinya” and “George Mudiwa,” only to mention a few, can perfectly fit in today’s showbiz, not to talk of even dislodging some celebrated hits of today if professional adjudication is given a chance.

It is 23 years after the death of the late talented Highfield-based musician,James Chimombe, but his legacy and mark on the Zimbwaean “hall of fame” will undoubtably continue for many years.

A great composer, vocalist and guitarist, James Chimombe died on the 24^th of October 1990 at Parirenyatwa Hospital at the age of 39 after about 20 years of active music business and his music still serenade today’s music lovers.

Considered  one of the finest early talents to emerge from Zimbabwe, Chimombe is  also regarded as a leading post-independence music revolutionary who together with luminaries such as Thomas Mapfumo, Marshal Munhumumwe, Jonah Sithole and Tineyi Chikupo played a pivotal role in the transformation of Zimbabwean music from its colonial shape to its indeginous versions.

His witty sense of community, strength in weeving singable melodies, his easy rhythmic patterns and easy-to-follow harmonies saw Chimombe developing humorous tunes that incorporated Rhumba from East Africa, township mbaqanga, country and other pop styles to form his own hybrid of sound which sounded Zimbabwean.

With a flur of trumpets, keyboards and the sax, James Chimombe’s class speaks of how serious the musician was.

Chimombe did not however live long enough to take his music to an international audience in person as fate caught up with him at a time when he was climaxing.

Having launched his mainstream music career in a politically charged environment as a rhythm guitarist at Thomas Mapfumo’s Acid Band in the 70s where he played alongside the likes of Marshal Munhumumwe, Chimombe went on to become a great musician who fronted a number of groupos with which he released a number of hits.

Nicknamed “Mr Bindura,” he played with a string of outfits that include Pop Settlers, Harare Mambos, Ocean City, Real Sounds of Africa, Ok Success and Huchi Band and won residence at Mushandirapamwe Hotel in Highfield and Club Hideout 99, among other sites.

The vast experience that he garnered while playing with a variety of music outfits, was later to manifest in a perfect band leader, generating him into a great musician whose musical prowess has provided a foundation and inspiration to many artistes in Zimbabwe. In his messages he commented on topical societal issues such as love and relationships among other issues.

His death was a blow to the music industry and sadly Chimombe could not listen to his last release Jemedza as it was released after his death.

His friend and compatriot,  Solomon Skhuza came to lead the Huchi band soon after Chimombe’s death, recording the album “Love and Scandals,” but his stay was shortlived as he too had to concentrate on his band, The Fallen Heroes before his death in 1995.

Crude attempts by Chimombe’s eldest son, Freddy to revive the music failed dismally and Freddy died in August 2012. His album “Nherera” which he released in 1997 failed to make any impact, leaving the band with nothing to its name beyond its founder.

Freddy Chimombe who died at the age of 39 reportedly failed to take off on the basis of mismanagement of the affairs of the band. It is alleged that he even sold the music kit left by his father.

Lincon Chimombe, another son to the late legend tried to venture into music but his take off back in 2011, saw nothing much to talk about.

Although Chimombe had set a music treasure that some musicians of today have even resorted to try to copy and paste and claim the credit, his hard earned legacy has received serious attention.

His story remain a typical unfortunate case, especially at this time when sons and daughters of legends are launching their careers leaning on their fathers’ successes.

But what could have led to this delayed take off? Was Chimombe buried with all the tools that could be used for his music  revival?

In our quest to unravel issues surrounding  the legacy, this reporter sat down with Lincon Chimombe, one of Chimombe’s  surviving son, who admits that there have been a delayed take off but chance is still available.

Lincon, is the third born and the eldest surviving son of Chimombe. After discovering that there was a void and attempts by his brother Freddy had failed, Lincon decided to venture into music but his early attempts were fraught with challenges as Freddy is said to have denied him a chance.

This forced Lincon to form the Jemedza Crew with which he released his debut Kudzanayi in 2011. This album did not make any impact however as it was a hurried and imperfect project.  

The death of Freddy saw Lincon coming to try his chance. Tendai Chimombe is also available but has not come much to the fore. It still remains to be seen whether she will push her name forward and add her voice in the revival of her father’s band. Lincon believes if he gets support, he can turn the tables for the now forgotten Huchi Band.

 “Some have done it. Sulu, Amara (Brown), Peter, Tendai and Morgan (Dembo) are in the industry and things are flowing. Things are really working so for me it is also possible,” When I play my part, then there is need for support from sponsors. I need support in terms of funds to finance this project,” says Lincon Chimombe.

“I am very much delighted that I have talked to surviving members who played with my father and they have pledged assistance.”

“I have played at big platforms such as national music galas with success, I have shared stage with Sulu and Peter Moyo, Progress (Chipfumo) and Tryson Chimbetu with success. This shows we have the capacity but sponsors need to come on board and complement our efforts, he added.

“I know it’s a big task before me but I am currently working on strategies to revive the band. Our market is ready for us so we have to do justice to it.

Pressed to hint on the forthcoming album, Lincon said he has since engaged grandmasters of music to have professional touches.

“I have talked to Philip Svosve, Darum Karanga and David Domingo who played with my father to assist me on the new album and they told me that they are at my disposal,” he was quick to answer saying these musicians have been nice to him.

Chimombe believes that the secret behind his bangful return is to engage these experienced musicians who played with his father.

“Look at Sulu. He engaged those who played with his father and where is he now. These people are experienced musicians who have seen it all and will assist us revive Huchi Band, added Chimombe.

The forthcoming album which becomes a litmus test for Chimombe,  is set for August this year and preparations have already started, according to him. He also promises to select some hits and compile a DVD.

It is however time that will tell us if the great James Chimombe died with all his everything or that Lincon is the man who has been prepared for that purpose.

The great question which always boggles the minds of many is if the success that have knocked at the Chimbetu door or at the Dembo doors will on one day knock at the Chimombe door.