Moyana features Mtukudzi on new album

By Steve Ephraem

Afro Jazz artist Ali Moyana, whose company previously coordinated South African performances for the late Dr Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, has featured Aaron Mtukudzi on his new album, set for launch on 1 November at African Chef, Centurion, Pretoria in South Africa.

The album, titled Ngikuthandile, features eight tracks: ‘Tambira’, ‘Ngikuthandile’, ‘Ndinotenda’, ‘Mbira dzeNdau’, ‘Canaan’, ‘Ghetto Child’ and ‘Iyelele Africa’. The offering is available on all global music download platforms through distributor Virgin Music.

Speaking to Post On Sunday from his base in South Africa, Moyana revealed that his relationship with the late Oliver Mtukudzi motivated him to work with Aaron.

“Aaron’s late dad, Oliver Mtukudzi, approached me in 2015 and requested that I work with him coordinating his performances, and in the process, that’s where I learned how to play basic acoustic guitar. I had already done a collaboration with Selmor Mtukudzi in 2014.

“After Oliver’s passing, we teamed up with Aaron Mtukudzi and recorded an album and an EP to keep the Tuku Music legacy. We also use this initiative to showcase what we have learned from Mdara Tuku’s music. This initiative will keep Dr. Oliver Mtukudzi’s legacy for life and with some improvements in that Tuku Music genre. Our plan is to continue with the Tuku Music legacy by showcasing everything we learned from him,” he said.

oyana owns AOPO Records, which holds a global digital distribution arrangement with Orchard Enterprise New York, a subsidiary of Sony Music. The label’s catalogue includes music legends such as Michael Jackson, R Kelly, Kwesta, and Sho Madjozi.

AOPO Records was responsible for coordinating the late Dr Tuku’s shows in South Africa. In 2018, the label released a collaboration between Dr Tuku and Diamond Musica titled ‘Bhutsu.’

Moyana’s previous work includes the 2020 album Simomondiya, which featured Selmor Mtukudzi and Innocent “Answer” Kufakunesu, a student from Tuku’s Pakare Paye Arts Centre. He works closely with veteran former Gramma engineer Jonathan Mgazi, a gospel singer, whose wife Mylenda manages all backing vocal arrangements for AOPO projects.

Born over 45 years ago in Giyani, Limpopo Province, Ali Moyana is proud of his Ndau heritage, a pride which inspired him to produce two Ndau language songs titled ‘Ndauwe’ and ‘Mwana weMuNdau’ in 2019.