Gweru-based gospel musician Tinomutenda Chihora has roped in seasoned producer, Lyton Ngolome on his new album titled Zvogozha, which is expected to be released next month.
By Staff Reporter
Ngolome is a renowned gospel music producer and has worked with top gospel artists such as Mathias Mhere and Blessing Shumba.
Chihora, a music teacher at Cecil John Rhodes School in Gweru, said teaming up with Ngolome for the new production — a six track album — was meant to add a “new feel” to his music.
“I roped in Ngolome on the album to add a unique feel to my music. Bethan Pasinawako will provide backing vocals on the songs and I believe my fans are in for a treat,” Chihora told The Standard Style.
He said the music on the album brings diverse dancing and praise worshipping from various denominations, including his own Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe (ELCZ).
A nominee at the 2016 Midlands Music Awards, Chihora has five albums under his belt, but he believes the new project will take him far.
“I have worked extra hard on this production and I think it is one of my best albums,” he said.
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The album is a blend of old tracks “retouched” and new tracks.
He believes the title track Zvogozha has what it takes to top the gospel charts next year, thanks to his artistic prowess that ranges from lyrics writing to instrumentation.
The other track Mweya Wechinono, according to Chihora, “is a prayerful song, which can easily drive anyone into deep thinking and prayer”.
Listening to the new album, one can say that the gospel singer has come of age.
Meanwhile, Chihora, who is the director for Music Consultancy Society Zimbabwe (Mcsz), said their association was going around the country conducting training workshops.
“As MCSZ, we have planned to offer free music workshops, one per every province across the country. These workshops will cover aspects such as theory of music, percussion band, choral work and musical instruments such as mbira, marimba, guitar and piano. This will also give me the chance to reconnect with my music fans,” he said.
The musician promised to do live shows to promote his new album as well as boost his fan base.
Chihora trained as a teacher at Nyadire Teachers College in Mutoko before he obtained a diploma in music from the Midlands Academy of Music. He holds a Bachelor of Science, Music and Musicology Honours Degree from Midlands State University.
He has carved a niche for himself in the music industry in the country, earning himself prominence in music adjudication. He has worked with various churches and organisations that deal with music, which include Methodist, Anglican, Reformed Church in Zimbabwe, AFM, Zaoga churches, Naph, Nash, Music Cross Roads Zim, Nacz (Road to Fame) and Zimbabwe Traditional Dancers Association.
Chihora can play and teach marimba, mbira, piano, recorder and choir. He also teaches music theory at primary level.
