Kurai Makore & The Black Lions - Dzimwe Nguva Album Review

Kurai Makore is still relatively a newcomer in the industry but his growth has been impressive for the past 5 or so years he has been in the industry. His brand has been growing steadily growing. This was however to be expected given he has been filling a massive void left by his father Dr Thomas Mapfumo on the local scene, especially in the live performance department. Chimurenga music is arguably one of the most loved genres on the local scene, its impossible to spend and entire weekend without hearing someone play Mukanya around the various pleasure spots all over Zimbabwe. A few artists have been doing covers of his tracks but there was no-one who was fully into his Chimurenga sound and Kurai has came and is filling that gap. Given Chimurenga has gotten the global recognition it deserves which was solidified by its addition to the Grammy list the genre is going to experience a serious revival and evolution.

Given his relation the arguably the GOAT of Zimbabwean Music, a lot will be expected from Kurai. So when he announced that he was going to b e releasing an album many were counting down to it.  Over the past years his live shows have proven he is able to stand on his own, he has assembled a solid band and his performances at the Kadoma Music Festival gave him a solid platform to showcase his mettle at a big stage and he excelled. By virtue of Mukanya, Kurai will inherit a lot of fans, the tough job will be to keep them and this album should be a solid step in that direction. 

The Album Dzimwe Nguva has finally been released and have given myself some time to listen and today will be sharing my views and  thoughts on the album.

1. Manhanga Matete

Kurai delivers his rendition of the popular folk song, there is a Bira version causing a lot of chaos all over the nation and many will be wanting to see how this one will stake up. Manhanga Matete is a song about powering through a period of few, a period of low harvest. Its about withstanding whatever hardship or setback one may encounter in their life and making do with what few they have and moving forward. The track is well made, love the arrangement and guitarwork. Kurai was solid on the vocals and the backing vocals were also up to par. 

2. Sango Machinda

On the last track Kurai does a version combining two popular traditional songs, Sango and Machinda Anorwa Hondo. The track is about asking the Ancestors for help as the challenges and burdens on life are weighing down on you. Sango is a song where one sings when the journey of life seems unbearable for them. Machinda is a song whereby one is crying unto the Ancestors and the Lord to send the spiritual warriors to help in this battle. The track is arranged well, the progression will be familiar to those who know the songs. 

3. Dande (ft Diana Samukange)

The first track is a rendition of a traditional song, vari mudande vanovhaira. The track  is about asking the Ancestors to come and intervene, help change their lives of their people. Dande is a description of a good life, a heaven on earth. Dande means a place of plenty and abundance, a stage which many in this life are striving for. The track is well produced and arranged. The vocals are on point, the collaboration between Kurai and Manwenya works. 

4. Hukama

On this track Kurai is singing about that point where that person you held dear to you betrays you, when that friend or relative that you relied on has been proven to have been working against you all the time.  it breaks you, and leaves you in a conundrum as to what to do next. The track is well made, the layout of the track is well done, the guitar work is solid. 

5. Murume Wangu

This track is about addressing trust and safety issues in the marital home. The wife is crying out to her mother that his husband is a cheat and liar, the wife no longer trusts her man. The man is now also acknowledging his errant behavior and is promising to reform. The track is well made, its arranged well. 

6.  Nyuchi

This track is a rendition of a traditional folk song, that many will definitely recognize. This song was a favorite during tradition dance classes back in primary school. The track is a call to action, take up your weapon as we are about to go into battle. Whether your battle is spiritual or physical this is the song to get you ready for the battle. If this song is played at a Bira know the spiritual level is about the change. The track is made well, its a different style from all the other tracks but it fits very well with the other songs.  

Bonus Tracks: 

 a. Gotokoto

This track is about a wife standing her ground, refusing another woman to come into her home and she is safeguarding what she has built with her husband. She likening the chosen second wife to the scent of a goat, a scent that is repelling. The track is well made, the arrangement is solid. Kurai was solid on the vocals and the backing vocalists were also on point. Love the subtle Chigwaya inspiration, its well fused in that a number will not even pick it.

b. Tombie

This is the track that made me believe Kurai is on to something. The track talks about the struggles of fatherhood, having to be away from your family more than you would like as you work to create a better future for them. Some had to move to different countries, they only see their kids on phones. Its a painful situation many have had to endure, leaving your wife and kids behind. The wife will have to play all the roles as you are away, so the track is mainly dedicated to the wife Tombie, telling her why you have to go far, professing your love to them before you leave. The track is well made, arrangement is well done. 

c. Zvinonetsa 

The moment many knew Kurai's relation to Dr Thomas Mapfumo a collaboration between the two was expected and this is the first of many. Most of their collaborations will not be hearing them sing together on a track but behind the scenes, writing, composing, production. This track was composed by Dr Thomas Mapfumo, you can hear his touch and style as you listen. The track is about accepting the many difficulties in life, one must know they are going to face many difficulties, be it in friendships, romantic relationships, marriage, raising a family, searching for money, pursuit of peace and happiness. The track is arranged well. 

d. Rombe

Actions have consequences. Kurai is a singing about the curses that one brings upon themself when they take someone else's wife. The track is produced well, love the guitar work on this track. The vocals are well done, both from Kurai and the backing vocalists. 

So ya that's it for Kurai Makore's Dzimwe Nguva Album and I have been impressed. For someone who is a big fan of Thomas Mapfumo I will not take lightly anyone who defiles the Chimurenga sound and Kurai has managed to borrow and innovate at the same time making this album not just a copy or rendition of Thomas Mapfumo's songs as I and some feared. 

The production of the album is spot on, Kurai went all in, the mixing and mastering is well done. Chimurenga music is synonymous with solid production, Mukanya set the bar so high and one has to be up for the challenge when they take on the sound and Kurai has managed to match the high quality production level. Chimurenga music is also a very instrument heavy genre, its supposed to be dense with traditional sounds and instruments well fused with modern instruments, I expect to hear more instruments than the usual, Mbiras, Hosho, Congas, Drums, Lead Guitar, Bass Guitar, Rhythm guitar, Trumpet, Keyboard and in this department Kurai also excelled. There is no trumpet but I cannot fault him for that, the songs have that dense feel that one expects from Chimurenga, its the signature punch of the genre. 

Another vital aspect of Chimurenga music is some fantastic guitar work, Sungura is mainly regarded as the guitar led genre but I feel Chimurenga requires exceptional guitarists even more, like you cannot execute Chimurenga is you have mediocre or average guitarists, its impossible you need beasts on guitars. The Blacks Unlimited has been place where some of the greatest guitarists in Zimbabwe have played in, guys like Jonah Sithole, Leonard Picket Chiyangwa, Gilbert Zvamaida, Joshua Chiweshe, Joshua Hlomayi Dube, Zee Guveya..just to mention a few and Kurai does not have that caliber yet but the ones he has are proving capable of writing their names among the finest guitarists, the guy on lead is special. He has however managed to get together a solid band, extremely impressive very very few artists can assemble such a band in their first 5 years, probably the pull of Mukanya is at play giving him a head start, truly how many guitarists would pass a chance of one day rehearsing or having a chance to get some notes from Dr Thomas Mapfumo and his Blacks Unlimited. 

The vocals are solid, Kurai has remnant of Thomas Mapfumo in his singing but that is to be expected. The backing vocalists are also solid, solid team again in that department. The themes are what one expects from Chimurenga, social commentary with a lot of emphasis on our culture and traditions.

To conclude this is quite a solid offering from Kurai Makore and his band the Black Lions. This is a project Dr Thomas will be proud of and also many Chimurenga fans will be impressed with. Its not a blatant copy of Mukanya's music but Kurai has added his own touch, especially the style of having the guitars step back and letting the bass, mbira's, hoshos and congas take center stage, that style adds a rawness to the tracks, the track Manhanga Matete showcases this style most. This shows Kurai is bold enough to push the sound forward which is what is required. I recommend this project to anyone looking for some good music, its definitely among the most impressive albums of 2025 so far, Jah Prayzah's Ndini Mukudzei is still in a league of its own compared to all other projects but this one can stake its claim in the other top spots. 

My Overall Rating: 7.8

/10

Feel free to share your thoughts on the album.

Proud_Zimbo