By Gamuchirai Mugadzaweta

RICHARD Mapfumo, aka the King of Trumpet and Vadzidzi Vekutanga Gospel Choir recently released their latest 2017 offering Nharo Nedenga.
The scintillating seven-track album was recorded at Diamond Studios in Harare and is the ensemble’s sixth album.
The percussion and combination of sweet melodies gives great flavour to the album, maintaining the original sound of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe.
In an interview with Patriot Arts, Mapfumo said the album encourages people to seek God.
“People tend to seek God but lose hope if what they prayed for does not come to pass,” said Mapfumo.
“In this album, we are encouraging people to admire and emulate the disciples of Jesus Christ by moving in faith regardless of the challenges they face in life.”
The first track on the album is ‘Matsotsi’ which recounts the story of the Good Samaritan.
The second song, ‘Vadzidzi’, is about the group itself, Vadzidzi Vekutanga Gospel Choir, singing about themselves.
In the title track ‘Nharo Nedenga’, Mapfumo sings about Jesus’ disciples and how they persevered in ministering after his death.
Collaborations with various artistes such as Reverend Chivaviro of the ‘Ebenezer’ hit, Munyaradzi Munodawafa, Samson of Vabati VaJesu and Mai Guvamombe shows growth among the musicians.
The perfect combination of instruments and great vocals makes the album a great offering that one can listen to over and over.
Nharo Nedenga was produced and composed by lead vocalist Mapfumo. The legendary Isaac Chirwa engineered the album and Mapfumo says it has been a learning experience for him working with a man who has seen it all in the music industry.
“I have been taught to be humble and stay focused if I am to make it in the field,” said Mapfumo.
The group is currently working on a DVD that has been shot in different parts of Harare and its outskirts such as Domboshava and Bindura.
According to Mapfumo, their group has received sponsorship from the Tamanikwa family which has stood by them through the production of the CD and DVD.
The Tamanikwa family say they feel honoured in partnering Mapfumo and Vadzidzi Vekutanga in preaching the gospel through music.
The group has been performing alongside Reverend Chivaviro but are planning to do their own shows in the near future. However, Mapfumo bemoaned piracy which has resulted in musicians failing to get meaningful financial returns from their projects.
Fellow gospel musician Rumbidzai Zvirikuzhe, who released her album Kwajeka last month, also bemoaned the effects of piracy, especially for budding artistes.
“Imagine after all the effort of sourcing finances and recording, someone just duplicates your music and sells it while we get little for our efforts,” said Zvirikuzhe.
Sadly, failure by local artistes to use latest technologies to market their products and depending solely on ‘physical sales’ of albums has seen them getting next to nothing for their efforts.
Laws meant to discourage piracy apparently are not deterrent enough .