Mutare-based gospel artiste Blessing Shumba has set up a studio in the eastern border town after parting ways with producer Lyton Ngolomi last year.
By Our Staff
Named Kunashe Studios, the new baby is responsible for the musician’s 30 new tracks that he has finished recording.
Shumba told Standardlife&style that he would soon be choosing eight tracks from the 30 for his forthcoming album that is due in April. “I have finished recording songs on my latest album,” he said. “We managed to record 30 songs and from there we will choose eight tracks that will make my album, with a working title Holy Psalms Volume 1,” he said.
Shumba last released an album in 2012 titled Shongwe but was soon dethroned from the top position by Mathius Mhere. Despite the disappointing move by Ngolomi, Shumba maintains he is not angry with his former producer.
“We sat down early last year and agreed it was best that we parted ways. The reason was not that I was bitter but rather, it was simply because Ngolomi is a family man. It proved difficult for him and his wife to leave Harare for Mutare whenever we had a gig. Currently we are playing with a band that is based in Mutare and it is easy to fulfill our obligations,” said Shumba.
“My music is different from Mhere’s and I do not think it affected my sales in any way.”
The musician said the album would be available before the Easter Holidays and he would soon start working on an album if funds permit. Shumba recorded Ishe Wazvose, NdiMwari, Munamato Wangu and Shongwe at Ngolomi’s Lyton Studios.
NdiMwari won a National Arts Merit Award for the best album in 2011 while Shongwe was nominated the best album in 2012 at the same awards.
Ngolomi who doubled as a guitarist and producer appeared to have pulled a coup on Shumba when he recorded Mhere whose music is more or less a template of Shumba’s thereby causing commotion on the market. Ngolomi however refuted claims that he has parted ways with Shumba and said they are still working together.
“Who said that,” he quipped.
“We only agreed that I would be assisting Mhere and because I stay in Harare and Shumba in Mutare, he would have to get new musicians to assist him.”
