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Bothwell Nyamhondera (left) demonstrates how studio equipment works to Daiton Somanje (centre) and Alick Macheso at the launch of Last Power Media in 2008

Entertainment Reporters
Alick Macheso, who announced he would be releasing a new album in March this year could be racing against time following revelations he is still to establish a studio. Macheso is on record saying he would not record the new album with any of the existing stables since he wants to set his own studio following the collapse of Last Power Media that he co-owned with Laston Murerwa.

Bothwell Nyamhondera, who was Macheso’s producer for a long time was one of the founders of the studio before he left for the United Kingdom.

The producer is coming back home next month but it is not clear if he will work with Macheso on the upcoming project.

Macheso moved studio from Last Power Media premises with an aim of setting a new place to record his album but the process is still incomplete.

Macheso’s manager William Tsandukwa said the equipment was temporarily moved to their offices at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex before being moved again.

Tsandukwa said he was unaware of where the equipment had been taken to when it was moved from their offices.

“The equipment was there at our offices but I don’t know where they have put it now because it’s no longer there,” said Tsandukwa.

Tich Makahamadze who worked for Last Power Media and is working with Macheso to set up the new studio said they would make some arrangements to ensure Macheso records his album in time.

“The issue here is not about recording but it’s about the studio so we are working on something that I can’t disclose now but just know that something is in place as we speak,” said Makahamadze.

Macheso had promised to release an album last year in September but failed to do so. Sources say the issue of the studio has thwarted the musician’s plans and there are fears he might not be able to release the album in March as scheduled.

“He is still to find an appropriate place for his equipment before he can set up the studio and start recording. He once approached a local record company with a proposal that they work together but the deal failed to materialise,” said a source.

Tsandukwa could not explain why they could not record the album in September as initially planned.

“I am not the musician and I don’t know how he will record his album, talk to him not me,” said Tsandukwa.

Macheso could not be reached for comment as all his mobile numbers went unanswered.

Since he left Gramma Records, the musician recorded one album in South Africa before he established Last Power Media.

His latest album “Kwatakabva Mitunhu” failed to make the expected impact on the local market and music critics said the major reason was that he had not worked with Nyamhondera.

Meanwhile, Nyamhodera is set return home next month to join recording company, Diamond Studios.

Nyamhondera — the man behind the success stories of many top musicians in the country, chief among them Madzibaba Nicholas Zakaria and the late Tongai Moyo, among others whom he recorded with during his tenure at Gramma Records — has been over the years missing in action in Zimbabwe while he was doing odd jobs in the United Kingdom.

The producer confirmed the latest development in a telephone interview from his United Kingdom base.

“Indeed, I am coming back home and have since signed a five-year contract with Diamond Studios which can always be renewed. I can say that I am happy to be coming back home since home is always best. I hope things will work out well,” he                                                                    said.

“I was doing general jobs here and not much on the music side just to survive. So I am really looking forward to come back to Zimbabwe and do what I know best. When they (Diamond Studios) approached me with the offer, I grabbed it since it was an opportunity to come home.”

Diamond Studios executive director, Steady Munyanyi, said he was happy that Nyamhondera was joining their stable.

“We signed a contract with Nyamhondera in the UK and we are happy that the deal is now sealed and we have already lined up a number of projects with him before recording. He will be joining our seasoned music producers who also happen to be among the best in the country, Jabulani Ndlovu and Isaac Masendeke,” said Munyanyi.