Entertainment Reporter
AFRO fusion artist, Innocent “Sarungano” Kufandiko, has a soft spot for music legends who paved the way for them.
One of these legends is Jackson Phiri.
As he marked Heroes Day yesterday, Sarungano released a single titled ‘Ukandida,’ featuring Phiri.
The love song, which has an accompanying video, was sung in Chewa and Shona.
Sarungano’s manager, Eugine Museredza, hailed Phiri for his creative edge.
“Phiri is a living legend who has been in the game for over six decades.
“As we mark the Heroes holidays, we decided to salute one of the living legends that we have in Norton who has been there for us.
“We have learnt quite a lot from him and it’s quite an honour collaborating with him,” he said.
Sarungano added:
“We grew up seeing Jackson Phiri perform in Norton and hearing many of his superstar stories and how he worked with most of yesteryear great artists so we felt it will be an honour to have a song and a video with him.
“I have learnt how he takes music seriously and how punctual he is to appointments and he wants things to be perfect,” he said.
Sarungano said he was always in touch with Phiri.
“We clicked because we stay in the same neighbourhood. I often work with Sly Pro who also produced this video.
“The audio is from my last eight-track album, Nevanji The Prince, which l released on the 19th of November 2022.
“And, l have been releasing the videos, l have released Mudzidzisi (a tribute to my mentor Oliver Mtukudzi) and Rugare Ngaruwande, featuring Mabasa aVatumwa, which is currently on circulation on ZBC TV and our local radio stations.”
Sarungano, who once led the Black Spirits when Tuku died in 2019, has since assembled his own group named ‘The Story Tellers,’
Sarungano plays the acoustic guitar, lead guitar, saxophone and mbira.