Award-winning gospel musician Bethen Pasinawako-Ngolomi on Friday brought together local gospel musicians at the launch of her fifth album titled Jesu Pabasa at a Harare hotel.
By MOSES MUGUGUNYEKI
The gospel diva, who together with her husband Lyton Ngolomi has worked behind the scenes with the large chunk of the gospel artistes that graced the show on Friday, was in a class of her own when she released the album after a two-year hiatus.
Her last album Paita Nyasha was released in 2016, and since then the Ndinzverei hit maker has been working behind the scenes, providing backing vocals for other gospel artistes.
Founder of Goodness and Mercy Ministries Prophet Tapiwa Freddy was the guest of honour at the event, which was also graced by Reverend Obadiah Musindo, UK-based gospel minister and Pasinawako-Ngolomi’s sister Rhoda Tongogara, as well as UK-based Apostles Obey and Nyasha Kachembere of the House of Judah International Family, among others.
Local musicians included Trymore Bande and his manager Munei Nyoni, Blessing Shumba, Mathias Mhere, Dr Tawanda, Sebastian Magacha, Olinda Marowa Ziwenga, Nyasha Mutonhori and Kudzi Nyakudya, among others, who all at the end of the show took to the stage where they gave a scintillating joint performance. The audience liked every minute of it with musicians taking selfies and giving each other hugs.
“This event has brought us together. Even those who say there is bad blood between Mathias Mhere and Blessing Shumba would be ashamed because they are together tonight hugging and taking selfies,” said Ngolomi, who has worked as a producer for both artistes.
Prophet Freddy urged artistes to work together and use their talent to minister the Word of God.
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“It is always good to unite as we serve the Almighty. Music is one powerful tool of ministering the Word,” he said.
Prophet Freddy bought the new CD for $1 000.
Musindo, who called for the need to support the arts industry, particularly gospel artistes, said he would facilitate dialogue between legislators and artistes so that they come up with laws that deal with piracy.
“It’s disheartening that there are people out there who want to reap where they did not sow. I will engage you artistes so that we push for laws that put to an end to this issue of piracy,” he said.
Nyoni, who is regarded as the brains behind Bande’s success, was the highest bidder after he bought the CD for $1 100.
Other musicians showed their solidarity when they bought the eight-track CD for prices ranging between $10 and $500, with Mudiwa Hood forking out $200 while Mhere paid $110. Mhere also pledged to finance the shooting of the video of one of the songs titled Simudza Munamato, which is on the new album.
The album was recorded at Lyt-On Studios and produced by Ngolomi.
Songs to look forward to on the new project include Simudza Munamato, Ndokutendai Nei, Handina and Nyaya Inoenda Kure, which is a traditional jam.
Her debut album was Aripo, which had songs like Ndinzverei, Nyasha, Soul Mate and the title track Aripo. The second album is called Anotida while the third is titled Anesu Jesu Narini. In 2016 she released her fourth titled Paita Nyasha.
Pasinawako-Ngolomi has worked with a number of artistes, including Zangie Osborne from Zambia and locally with Mhere, Shumba, Nyakudya, Marowa Ziwenga, Rumbie Zvirikuzhe as well as Reverend Togarepi Chivaviro, among others.
