Cynthia Gentle releases new single

SCOTLAND – Zimbabwean born, singer/songwriter Cynthia Gentle, has signed a music deal with Glasgow based ‘Wow Global Studio’, which is set to bring more influence to the African music scene.

Her new single Ndega from the Album ‘Chisuwo’ was released on the 18th of April 2015 and coincided with Zimbabwe’s 35th Independence anniversary.

Although based in the United Kingdom, the songstress said her heart was very much a part of the country which nurtured her love for Music.

Cynthia started singing at St Pauls Church in Marlborough, Harare at a very young age and carried on until she moved to the United Kingdom in 1999.

Soon after she was introduced to Whighams Jazz Club in Edinburgh, which quickly turned out to be her second home as she met a number of musicians and decided to form a blues band called Fabulous Corvettes.

The group later changed it’s name to ”Cynthia Gentle and the Truetones”. They continued performing at various jazz and blues festivals around the UK doing covers for songs by many blues legends like Etta James.

Cynthia is a familiar face in the city of Edinburgh where she has taken on the task of educating the locals on her Zimbabwean background through her music and most recently made the decision to go solo and develop her own sound and material.

‘It was the most terrifying decision I have ever made, but I had to take that leap of faith” she said. Her experience of working with renowned music artists like Angus Rose, Patrick Ndanga Bugingo from Rwanda and Iain Stewart, prepared her for the solo life as it made her realise the potential she had.

The 37 year old, popularly known as ”Njiva” by her fans is not new to attention like this, and has been seen in recent years perform at ”high levelled” platforms including World Aids day UK, The National Black Police Association Awards Ceremony, The Miss Zimbabwe UK pageant and recently featuring on UK’s popular reality show ‘Come Dine with me’ where she serenaded her guests with song.

The new album covers fresh new music, and has a different feel, highlighting her ability to experiment with different sounds. Cynthia has not restricted herself to the ”African sound” only, but has taken her fathers influence in music and enjoys the likes of Bay City Rollers to Sankomota.

Chisuwo, a rendition of love songs is a mixture of personal experiences, and has a soft, yet powerful sound and aims to minister to all those who are in love and those whose hearts have been broken. Cynthia continues to make reference to great ladies of song like Miriam Makeba, Ella Fitzgerald and Anita Baker, who have been her biggest inspiration.

“I am very happy to be releasing this new album and look forward to some exciting years ahead. The use of cutting edge technology has already revolutionised the music world and is helping empower an increasing number of independent minded songwriters and composers like myself .

“Everyone I’ve met on my journey so far is not only highly professional but also highly enthused about my new sound. There’s a certain mark of quality and originality to everything I have done with this new album and with my new partnerships, I’m sure we will bring a new perception to African music.”

On current music industry in Zimbabwe, the songstress said Zimbabweans needed to celebrate original music more adding that the reason Nigerians were making it internationally was because they were not imitating other cultures as they were proud of their identity. She said the matter of support was also in play, highlighting that ”Nigerians support Nigerians”.

”I hope to see young Zimbabwean artists creating their own unique sound and learning the music business. Professionalism in the industry will mean that hard work will be respected and rewarded. We have seen too many artists die in poverty and it is time to change that.” she said.

Ndega is now available to pre order on itunes. Click to view in iTunes