THERE are great expectations for Alick Macheso’s 10th album which will be the maestro’s debut production under his own label.
The crumbling of Last Power Media has left the prolific sungura artiste with no recording company and the musician has said he has no desire to join any but plans to operate a studio that will produce his music.
Speculation has been rife as to when the Sungura maestro will release an album and some have gone on to suggest that already an album titled Zva Zvinhu has been completed and is ready to be unleashed on the market.
But Macheso dismissed the claims as unfounded rumour and added that he was under no pressure to release an album for the festive season as is the ‘norm’ for most artistes that seek to capitalise on the merriment that comes with the end of the year.
Macheso explained he was in the process of setting up his own stable whose name is yet to be announced.
“Handina pressure izvozvi, ndichazviona muna February. Nziyo dziripo chamirira kudzibatanidza pa album,” he said.
Fans are eagerly waiting for a new album especially as the last one Kwatabva Mitunhu (Kure KweKure) was not well received by fans.
The sungura supremo popular for his hard hitting lyrics and exquisite guitar playing skills is among artistes that feel musicians have not received a favourable deal from stables they operate from.
Macheso was first signed with Gramma Records before quitting to join South Africa’s Mobile Music Trust (MMT) but he is yet to get any joy hence his decision to own and operate a recording studio.
Oliver Mtukudzi is one artiste who has successfully operated his own studio and has gone on to produce various artistes that have significantly benefited from his expertise.
Macheso quit MMT to join Last Power Media in 2009 which recently folded under unclear circumstances.
His last production with Last Power Media although considered a flop, compared to his previous blockbusters, received favourable airplay.
The artiste fondly referred to as BaSharo was quick to dismiss claims that his popularity is waning and that his Chitungwiza support base had deserted him.
Chitungwiza has always been Macheso’s favourate hunting ground.
The sungura giant who has not had big competition after the demise of another sungura ace Tongai ‘Dhewa’ Moyo described as ludicrous claims that fans walked out of his show at the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex.
“Vanotaura izvozvo havana kupinda mukati meshow nekuti pakange pasina pekutsika kusvika kuma past five patakapedza kuridza,” Macheso said.
He further dispelled rumours that he had been deserted by key band members.
“Vanhu havauye kuzondibvunza vanongotaura nekunyora zvavanenge vafunga ikoko kwavanenge vari ndirodambudziko racho,” the singer lamented.
Macheso insisted that there was no bad blood between him and members that left to form Extra Kwazvose.
Recently the artiste was seen in the company of former prodigy and one of the leaders of Extra Kwazvose Franco Slomo.
“I wish them nothing but the best and success in the industry,” he said.
Meanwhile, Macheso bemoaned lack of action against piracy.
“Piracy is a scourge that is destroying the music industry and it must now be tackled from the upper echelons of government or we will not be able to stop it,” he said.
Piracy has grounded and forced some musicians out of the industry as they have failed to get returns from their works.
Lighter fines and fewer convictions of those dabbling in piracy have fuelled the scourge.
Some musicians have had their works pirated before release. Some songs on Macheso’s last album were on the streets before official launch.