Mai Patai takes new album across Zim

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The wait is over! Popular Gweru gospel musician Respina Patai, who alongside her husband Ephraim hogged the gospel music limelight with the song Mazambara, is back with a bang.

The wait is over! Popular Gweru gospel musician Respina Patai, who alongside her husband Ephraim hogged the gospel music limelight with the song Mazambara, is back with a bang.

By Moses Mugugunyeki

Mai Patai relaunched her career in style when she released her seventh album, titled Punish the Devil, recently in Gweru at an event that was graced by another Gweru-bred musician Mathias Mhere.

The Midlands State University (MSU) music group also performed at the event that drew a full house.

“We are done with the launch and it was electric, I tell you,” said Ephraim, who doubles as Mai Patai’s manager.

“We have embarked on an aggressive marketing of the album. We are here in Harare selling the album along the streets and we will be taking the album to major cities while also trying to establish selling points across the country.”

Mai Patai, who composed all the eight songs on the album, chipped in saying apart from establishing selling points, the couple would take advantage of church gatherings to market the album.

“We are taking our CDs to the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Rufaro conference in Masvingo next week. We would like to assure those coming to the conference that we will be there with the CDs of the latest offering,” she said.

The album carries tracks such as Ndinodavira, Moyo Munyoro, Usatye, Shoko Rinesimba, Anokomborera, Dai Asiri Jesu, Ruvengo and Denga Rashe.

“The album has been well-received, with a number of fans asking where I was all these years. I am back and I want to assure you that I am back for good. More music is on the way and let’s be one family through our fan club — Mai Patai Fan Club,” said Mai Patai.

Produced and engineered by Jabulani Ndlovu at Trutone Studios, the album is set to reconnect Mai Patai with her legions of followers, particularly those that had the priviledge of listening to the hit track Mazambara. The couple has seven albums, namely Shoko Rinesimba, Usatye, Moyo Munyoro, Mwari Anokomborera, Ndinodavira, Dai Asiri Jesu and Punish the Devil.

Backed by the group Voice of Prophecy, Mai and Baba Patai believe the new album has what it takes to rock the gospel music arena.

“We worked very hard on the project and we hope it will fare well on the market. We have also received overwhelming support from our fans in neighbouring countries, particularly those in Mozambique, who listen to our local radio station, National Radio,” Baba Patai said.