BEYOND doubt, Mukudzei Mukombe, aka Jah Prayzah, presently rules the roost and is the artiste setting the pace in the cut-throat music industry.
The talented artiste has, since hitting the big time, been setting the bar high.
Innovation and creativity have become the hallmark of the lanky musician in his songs and videos and the latest offering by the Uzumba-born artiste, Mudhara Vachauya, has been received with mixed reactions.
Call them mixed feelings, the album definitely has elicited comments and heated debate.
The album has received a fair share of both positive and negative criticism.
In the country, it has become the norm to go to the kombis, to venture into nightclubs and even shops to get a reading of a new album.
The most popular song in a new offering is usually found blaring in these areas. While past works of the ‘Eriza’ hit-maker had sure hits, it seems the latest offering has not presented that one song ‘universally’ accepted as a monster-hit.
The jury is still out on this one; there seems to be failure in coming up with a verdict as to which songs are good or bad and whether the artiste has or has not surpassed past efforts.
On social media, workplaces and the streets, the album Mudhara Vachauya is still being discussed.
An expensive and exquisite launch will definitely not be giving the album any legs, it will have to stand the test of time as some are suggesting.
The album has been well marketed; the motorcade on its way to Bulawayo for another launch passed through the towns of Chegutu, Kadoma, Kwekwe and Gweru stripping away invisibility.
But after all the pomp and fanfare, discussions centre on whether the dreadlocked musician has served a dish worthy the titles he has earned over the years.
Others argue the album has moved away from the ‘traditional’ Jah Prayzah genre. Some sections are of the opinion the musician has abandoned his deep Shona lyrics that have become synonymous with his work.
“This new offering is rather thin on lyrical content, comparing it to past productions,” said Rickson Chidamba, an avid follower of the musician.
He argued the musician has definitely evolved.
“The sound is rather different from what we have become accustomed to,” he said.
Radio personality Ephraim Tagu, on Star FM’s ‘Rate it or Hate it’, expressed displeasure with the artiste’s English accent in the songs done using the language of the Britons while his co-presenter Nikki suggested it was time the musician invested in a songwriter.
A Kuwadzana Extension fan, Rungano Matare, said Jah Prayzah must not deviate from using the Shona language.
“Jah Prayzah should stick to Shona,” she said.
“I do not like the songs which he delivers in English because they did not come out well.”
Another fan from Chitungwiza, Caroline Mutimbanyoka, said although the album was good, Jah Prayzah’s type of music is best delivered in Shona rather than English.
“Jah Prayzah’s music is African and it comes out well with indigenous languages, so for me, the English disturbs the flow,” said Mutimbanyoka.
Music specialist Professor Fred Zindi, however, said, in one of the local papers, the use of English in some of the songs on the album might attract international appeal.
“In the 11-track album, the dreadlocked ‘rastaman’ gives credence to the direction where his music came from, that is Roots, Rock, Reggae as he belts out ‘In The Ghetto’ said Zindi.
“Here, he sings in English, trying to reach that international appeal.”
On the two tracks, ‘Kurumidza’ and ‘Seke’, Prof Zindi praised Jah Prayzah’s composition skills.
“Whether by accident or design, the artistic skills come primarily through in the tunes which showcase the lively bounce and the international direction the musician has taken on this album,” he said.
Some pundits are of the view that it is too early to judge the album.
According to music connoisseur Tapiwa Nyati, the album must be given time.
“The album will be an acquired test, it is not the type that hits the music palate instantly,” said Nyati.
“Oliver Mtukudzi is a typical example of a musician whose music has not been stagnant, but has evolved over time and at one time fans had problems with him when he added marimba to his beat, but over time, the followers began to appreciate the new sound.”
Mudhara Vachauya is an 11-track album with songs that include the title track ‘Mudhara Vachauya’, ‘Hossana’, ‘Watora Mari’ featuring Tanzanian Diamond Platnumz, ‘Tsotsi’, ‘Jenny’, ‘Goto’, ‘Kurumidza’, ‘Seke’, ‘Ndide Ndikude’, ‘Mbembe’ and ‘Ghetto’.
To date, Jah Prayzah has released eight albums which include Mudhara Vachauya (2016), Jerusarema (2015), Kumbumura Mhute (2014), Tsviriyo (2013), Ngwarira Kuparara (2012), Sungano Yerudo (2010), Rudo Nerunyararo (2007) and Dura (2006).