Mathias Mhere and Blessing Shumba in race to release albums

Mathias Mhere

LOCAL gospel kingpins-cum-rivals Mathias Mhere and Blessing Shumba are in an album launch race with the Favour hit maker launching Double Double in Harare on February 10 and the Mutare-based artiste launching Calvary on March 6 in his hometown.

Coincidently, the forthcoming albums are the fifth projects for both artistes.

Since Mhere’s arrival on the music scene, his brand of gospel music had always been compared to that of Shumba, with the latter’s fans accusing the former of being a copycat.

Mhere’s voice and beat on the albums Anoita Minana and Nguva Yenyasha produced by Laiton Ngolomi made it difficult for gospel lovers to tell the two musicians apart.

The 27-year old pint-sized Mhere, however, refused to speak on the perceived rivalry between the two, saying he wanted to shy away from the controversies that have dogged his music career.

Other fans accused Ngolomi of using the same template in producing the two artistes’ work thereby making it appear as if they were copying each other. The musicians have since engaged different producers and they released sometime different songs both on beats and voices.

Mhere recorded the forthcoming 12-track-album with rising and talented producer Munyaradzi Viya at his Vialy Studio in Harare.

“The forthcoming album looks at different facets of Christianity with a number of praise and worship songs carrying the message on how man can enhance his relationship with God,” Mhere said.

Some of the songs to be featured on the forthcoming album are title track Double Double, Makorokoza Muchurch, Mwari Vanoziva, Judas, Seri kweGuva, Nhau yaNoah, Ndangariro, Chanza, Kesari, Zvinatsei, Be Still and Mugomo.

Mhere has been sampling some of the new songs at his live concerts with his followers appearing to be enjoying songs like Makorokoza Muchurch, title track Double Double, Chanza and Kesari.

Shumba, who rose to stardom after the release of his debut album Ishe Wazvose in 2008, has proved his artistic prowess through several chart-busters. He won the 2012 National Merit Awards outstanding album award and topping the Zimbabwe Coca-Cola Radio Top 50 twice.

Shumba told NewsDay yesterday that he was primarily a preacher and was overwhelmed to be regarded as one of the best gospel musicians.

Among the songs to be featured on his upcoming eight-track album are Step by Step and Open Doors, Matatenda, Zvapera Mwari, Hatigumbutsi Hatitsamwise and ZvaMwari Zvakesari.

On the album the musician has featured his wife, Pauline who contributed the lead vocals on two of the songs, ZvaMwari Zvakesari and Ndinotenda while Shumba did the backing. Newsday