Watching Baba Charles and Mai Olivia Charamba perform at the Artists Supporting Artists Concert on 7th November I sensed that something was different. I have watched them perform numerous times before and I could feel that this was not the same. Something had changed. Something was better.

It wasn’t the songs themselves, which were mostly old favourites including Vanhu Vanotaura, Africa Restore Identity and Zvanga Zvakanaka.  It was in the delivery of the music.

^ Baba na Mai Charamba perform at the Artists Supporting Artists Concert, Harare, 7th November 2009.

There was a lot more energy, a lot more choreographed dance routines, all of which got the crowd really excited. This is wine that has matured well with time.

It reminded me of Tuku shows. When the renowned maestro puts down his guitar to dance, the crowd goes wild. When he pulls out unlikely moves from his close to 60-year-old body it drives the audience delirious.

As Mai and Baba Charamba jumped up and down to the beat I couldn’t help feeling that it’s time their music went international on a really big scale. This was the sort of stuff that could entertain a crowd anywhere in the world.

- Fungai Tichawangana

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Sam Moyo   |2009-11-11 00:54:42 Mai Charamba has a great voice. Her music is second to none. Yes, it is time they took their act international. Reply 0   0

Sam Moyo   |2009-11-11 00:55:25 ... Not forgetting her talented husband as well. The two of them make an amazing duo. Reply 0   0

Fatherplus   |2009-11-12 23:44:36 I actually feel that even though Olivia Charamba is talented she slows down the set. Maybe it's time Charles leaves the wife at home achienda kubasa. Reply 0   0

Jaison Midzi  - Dont Cheat them   |2009-11-19 11:04:04 They can never be able to take their musical exploits to the international scene because their beat is local. They cannot even attract a sizeable crowd in Bulawayo-if they do it will mostly be the shonas who understand thtsumo and nyambo plus madimikira of these buggers. Check how thety have changed guitarists and then you will be able to see that they are abusers of the opeople that they work with. One bussist from Ambuya Beaulah's ensamble tried his luck with the Charambas and gues what -what he got was a clap from Charamba himself-what physicakl abuse. i know them they are from St Mary's Chitungwiza from the area called Mangoromera. International musicians are groups like hillsong and maybe Pastor G. If they go to the international scene they will be playing for Zimbabweans who went to the diaspora like what Macheso and Tongai Moyo do. Thats bo-[bad word]. Only Mapfumo and Mtukudzi can attract fans from other countries a... Reply 0   0

Makopokopo   |2009-11-20 03:56:48 Heish Mr Jaison. You sound really angry. What's the story. Surely the Charambas are not THAT bad... Reply 0   0

Jaison Midzi  - Hei Makopokopo   |2009-11-25 10:39:27 This is a civilised world man and you must always call a spade a spade. The Charambas can not even perform to a full house in our neighbouring countries like Mozambique and Botswana and SA. If they do they will be playing in front of Zimbabweans who are staying there. Their beat is so horrible. I tried to give some diasporeans to listen to it saying that was the pride of Zimbabwean gospel. Unluckily it could not sound gospel to them. Only Shingisai Siluma can do something everywhere and anywhere. She is more current and is not Reply 0   0

Netsitso  - Siyanai navo   |2009-11-26 05:07:14 dont think if their music is not yr all of us are not entertained, wakambouya here ku harare gardens of chitungwiza aquatic vachipefoma, even bulawayo mozambique vanozadza mahalls, usa shore mbodza neino zvimbira Reply 0   0

Obert  - Mr   |2010-01-02 18:50:37 veduwe Gospel is here in S.A. Guys from here are not limited as compared to our musicians.Listen to Solly Mahlangu, Benjamin Dube, KeKe, Tshepiso e.t.c. Yedu music is still a long way to go. Mai Siluma is the only one who might make it. Reply 1   0

sbo  - the truth   |2010-01-28 09:49:58 Guys lets not beat about the bush and say the truth. The Charambas used to sing back in the days. Music yavo yaipinza mumweya chaimo, just check or listen to Mai Charamba when she was singing the likes of Ndirangarirei infact the whole album. You could really feel that it was gospel music and even the way she dressed showed much respect even to the public. Check out even Mr Charamba's last touching album Exodus. Its was real gospel music. Kwete zvavako mazuba ano hameno kuda ndiyo mari yawandisa here. Their music is longer the same, i wish if they could just go back to where they started and see how much audience they could grab and even their market sales would increase. Reply 0   0

sbo   |2010-01-28 09:51:38 so far Shungisai is the best and you all agree with me, That women is talented guys and knows what she is really doing May God contnue blessing her and her family and music. love you Shingisai!!!!!!!!!!! Reply 1   0

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