Alfredo, still evergreen
Chippa Legodimo | Tuesday December 3, 2013 15:34
As they say, form is temporary, class is forever and Alfredo Mos has not lost the latter. Even better, he has matured musically fusing various sounds to come with a mellow album. He hopes his brand of a fusion of Kwasakwasa, Jazz, Borankana and Gospel, will appeal to a greater audience.
His latest work Re Maduo A Lorato is a celebration of love between couples, he said. According to him, the society at large demonstrates the veteran musician's versatility and dedication at addressing serious issues through music.
The opening song in the 10-track album, Ka Ntlha Ya Lorato sets the tone for the project.
A born-again Christian, Alfredo follows up with the title track where he emphasises that there would be no life without love.
It is in I Am Free that he confesses to his new found faith.
His pre-release party at Club Calabash recently might have not attracted a big crowd but it was not short of colourful moments.
Apart from guest artist Sebongile Kgaila's cajoling on stage, various speakers also added colour to the event.
Kgaila ignited whistles from the crowd with his Dedication To Musical Heroes tribute to the late and fellow folklore guitarist Stampore (Malefo Mokha) as well as American superstar Michael Jackson.
But Botswana Musicians Union President Phempheretlhe Pheto in his motivational speech had teased Alfredo for finally accepting that nothing was bigger than God. He demonstrated what a committed individual Alfredo has always been.
'I remember this other boy who was a fast sprinter at Kgari Sechele Secondary School some years back. Then just after I had started recording I heard that he was now copying from me. He was also recording music and then I realised it was Alfred. I then remember a few years ago when my colleagues tried to convince him to join the church but he was reluctant,' Pheto said.
Then, Pheto said, when Alfredo decided to become a Christian he did it discreetly.
'I remember he told us last time that he was going to attend his nephew's wedding arrangements in South Africa and we believed him. I was startled to see him at TB Joshua's Synagogue Church of Nations on television,' Pheto said to ruptures of laughter from the audience.
He congratulated the Kwasakwasa star for realising the need to get closer to God saying: 'Knowing God is the beginning of wisdom.'
He described Alfredo as not only a pioneer of the sound in Botswana, but a mentor and leader whose products have gone to emulate their master.
He said the success of musicians such as Franco and Biza Mupulu is proof of Alfredo's leadership skills.
Music promoter Zenzele Hirschfield said Alfredo was one of the few local musicians who ever gave music its true meaning while changing perceptions in the process.