Macheso flip-flops on new album
By Vasco Chaya
HARARE – Sungura kingpin Alick Macheso has been promising his fans a new album “to be released anytime soon” since 2013 but nothing has materialised so far.
Macheso last released the album Kwatakabva Mitunhu (Kure Kwekure) in 2012 and the project was received with mixed feelings by his fans.
Since then he has been selling a dummy to media and fans alike, promising nothing tangible.
The new album was said to be coming at the end of 2013 but then Macheso told local media that it would instead come in mid-2014 before changing the dates again to end of last year.
It seems the sungura giant never runs short of words whenever asked about the album. Now he is saying the album will be released in winter this year.
His manager, William Tsandukwa, told the Daily News that he was stopped from commenting on the album by Macheso. “I am no longer allowed to comment on issues to do with the album.”
There are several theories making the rounds to explain the delay on the album. Firstly, Macheso being among the best musicians in local showbiz is arguably the biggest victim of music piracy hence might be taking his time scheming the best ways of circumventing the scourge of piracy.
His album Zvinoda Kutendwa was heavily pirated before it was even released, a development that forced him to release a second edition of the album.
But others argue that Macheso is not the only musician in Zimbabwe affected by piracy; other celebrated musicians such as Oliver Mtukudzi, Suluman Chimbetu, The Charambas and Jah Prayzah all released new albums last year.
The other theory is that since Macheso’s recording stable Last Power Studios ceased operations some years ago, the Tafadzwa hit maker is not comfortable with the services of other recording stables.
Last year, he told this publication that he was busy setting up a new recording studio to be called Kwazorai Butter to be situated at the Aquatic Complex in Chitungwiza. However, this also turned out to be a hoax.
He later said another studio would now be built at his home and he would like to record the new album from there.
It is believed that Macheso is not happy with the quality of music producers on the market hence he is trying his level best to lure veteran producer Bothwell Nyamhondera. However, Nyamhondera has a running contract with Diamond Studios. “Nyamhondera is our employee hence he cannot do extra work behind our back, it is impossible for him to record Macheso unless the musician comes to our studios for recordings.
“We only release Nyamhondera if we have a special arrangement with the artiste,” an official with the Diamond Studios, John Muroyi said then.
It is also understood that Macheso is not happy to record any new songs with the new crop of guitarists at his current Orchestra Mberikwazvo band.
After releasing the album Kwatakabva Mitunhu in 2012 Macheso suffered a major blow in his musical career when key members of his group Noel Nyazanda, chanter Joe Kasamba and drummer Obert Gomba deserted him to form Extra Kwazvose.
Recently, he however, told local media that he is comfortable working with the current crop of instrumentalists at his band. Daily News
