Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits
Biography -- Discography

Biography

It would be near-impossible to attempt to compile an accurate and comprehensive biography on Oliver Mtukudzi. Or, more accurately, it would take much too long and take too many pages, seeing as Tuku is one of Zimbabwe's most distinguished and successful musicians.

A prolific musician with more than 30 albums to his name, composer of more than three movie soundtracks, a contributor to Mahube, Southern Africa's 'super-group', even an actor, Oliver Mtukudzi has done it all. For biographical information on Oliver Mtukudzi, please follow one of the links below.

Oliver also has his onw website - www.tukumusic.co.zw - where you can buy albums and read more about Oliver.

Gateway of Africa >> Tuku Bio (short)
Theiceberg >> Tuku Bio (short)
Afropop >> Tuku Bio (medium)
Sheer Sound >> Tuku Bio (long)

Discography (Compiled by Afropop.)

Tsivo	2003	Sugar Pie (CSA-CSLP5004)	1988
Greatest Hits: Tuku Years 98-02	2002	Strange, Isn't It?	1988
Vhunze Moto	2002	Nyanga Yenzou	1988
Shanda Soundtrack: Live	2002	Wawona	1987
Bvuma | Tolerance	2001	Zvauya Sei?	1986
Paivepo	2000	Gona	1986
Tuku Music	1999	Mhaka	1985
Dzangu Dziye	1998	Hwema Handirase	1984
Ndega Zvangu	1997	Oliver's Greatest Hits	1983
The Other Side: Live in Switzerland	1995	Nzara	1983
Was My Child	1995	Please Ndapota	1982
Ziwere MuKobenhavn	1994	Maungira	1982
Son of Africa	1993	Pfambi	1981
Neria Soundtrack	1992	Shanje	1981
Rumbidzai Jehova	1992	Muroyi Ndiani	1980
Rombe	1992	Africa	1980
Mutorwa	1991	Chokwadi Chichabuda	1979
Shoko	1990	Ndipeiwo Zano	1978
Pss Pss Hallo! (CSA-CSLP5005)	1990	Chinhambwe
Chikonzi	1990	Ndotomuimbira
Grandpa Story	1989	Svovi Yangu

Maungira

Released: 1982
Label:
Format: LP
Running Time:
Stocked by:

Maungira was one of Tuku's first released in post-independence Zimbabwe.

Svovi Yangu

Released: re-released 2001
Label:
Format: LP, CD
Running Time: 69 minutes, 12 tracks.
Stocked by: Stern's, ZimSite

A recent re-release.

Grandpa Story

Released: 1989
Label: Tuku/RTP (and to add to the confusion, marketed by Gramma)
Format: LP
Running Time: 6 tracks.
Stocked by:

Chinhambwe

Released: re-released 2001
Label:
Format: LP, CD
Running Time: 69 minutes, 12 tracks.
Stocked by: Stern's, ZimSite

A recent re-release.

Shoko

Released: 1990
Label:
Format: Cassette, CD
Running Time: 37 minutes, 8 tracks.
Stocked by: Dandemutande, Stern's, ZimSite

Released in 1990, Shoko is one of Tuku's first compact disc released.

Rumbidzai Jehova

Released: 1992
Label:
Format: Cassette, CD
Running Time:
Stocked by: Stern's, ZimSite

Rumbidzai Jehova was recently re-released onto CD and is available at both Stern's and ZimSite.

Neria Soundtrack

Released: 1992
Label:
Format: Cassette, CD
Running Time: 11 or 14 tracks, depending on release version.
Stocked by: Dandemutande, Stern's

Neria is the recording of the Mutkudzi-composed soundtrack to the movie of the same name.

Ziwere MuKobenhavn

Released: 1994
Label: Shava
Format: CD
Running Time:
Stocked by: Dandemutande, Stern's, ZimSite

Released on Virginia Mukwesha's Shava label, Ziwere MuKobenhavn was recorded in Denmark in 1994 and contains both old and new songs.

The Other Side: Live in Switzerland

Released: 1995
Label: ZMC
Format: CD
Running Time:
Stocked by: Dandemutande

A recording of a live performance of both old and new tracks, with both Shona and Ndebele influences, at a Swiss music festival.

Ndega Zvangu

Released: 1997
Label: ZMC
Format: Cassette, CD
Running Time:
Stocked by: Dandemutande, Stern's, ZimSite

The title of Oliver Mtukudzi's 1997 CD, Ndega Zvangu, translated to "all alone" from Shona. Tuku recorded the album in tribute to three of his bandmates who had recently died. The result is a solo acoustic album.

Dzangu Dziye

Released: 1998
Label:ZMC
Format: Cassette
Running Time:
Stocked by: Dandemutande

Another mix of old and new, Dzangu Daziye is available on cassette only at Dandemutande.

Tuku Music

Released: 1999
Label: Putumayo
Format: CD
Running Time:
Stocked by: Dandemutande, Stern's, ZimSite

Tuku Music is one of Mutkudzi's most successful albums to date. Powered by absolutely amazing, fantastic, great, awesome song (thesaurus needed!) Ndima Ndapedza, Tuku Music is a great introduction to his wonderful music.

Paivepo

Released: 2000
Label: Putumayo
Format: CD
Running Time: 60 minutes, 10 tracks.
Stocked by:Dandemutande, Stern's, ZimSite

The follow-up to his widly successful 1999 album Tuku Music, Paivepo does not disappoint. In my opinion Paivepo lacks the punch that having one outstanding, classic track brings to an album such as Tuku Music (with Ndima Ndpaedza) or Vhunze Moto (with Ndakuvara). Audiences in Zimbabwe gobbled it up to the tune of more than 100 000 copies sold.

Bvuma | Tolerance

Released: 2001
Label: ZMC
Format: CD
Running Time: 60 minutes, 10 tracks.
Stocked by: Dandemutande, Stern's, ZimSite

The aptly titled Bvuma | Tolerance was released amidst the nation-wide upheaval of the land reform programme and sol dover 100 000 copies in Zimbabwe alone. Is Tuku's album full of political messages, or the meanings only to be taken literally? You be the judge (if you can understand the lyrics, of course.)

Shanda Soundtrack: Live

Released: 2002
Label: Sheer Sound
Format: CD
Running Time: 10 tracks
Stocked by: Dandemutande

Featuring old and new songs, this version of the soundtrack to the Zimbabwean movie Shanda was recorded live.

Vhunze Moto

Released: 2002
Label: Putumayo
Format: CD
Running Time: 54 minutes, 9 tracks.
Stocked by:Dandemutande, Stern's, ZimSite

Chock full of lilting guitar lines, husky vocals, and distinctive Tuku melodies, Vhunze Moto is another classic Tuku release. Ndakuvara is a fantastic song. Check out the Afropop revues.

Greatest Hits: 1998-2002

Released: 2002
Label: Sheer Sound
Format: CD
Running Time: 13 tracks
Stocked by: Stern's

This latest greatest hits compilation features the best of Mtukudzi's last three albums.

Tsivo

Released: 2003
Label: Putumayo
Format: CD
Running Time:
Stocked by:

Tsivo, which translates to 'revenge', is Mtukudzi's 46th album - his first studio acoustic album, recorded in his own perosnal home studio. Check out the reviews at Zimtownship.