Zimpapers Logo

Tafadzwa Zimoyo Senior Arts Reporter
Mathias Mhere’s latest album “Panogora Nyasha” that was launched in Harare a fortnight ago has been well received by gospel fans judging by the airplay it has been receiving.

The nine-track album was launched at the 7 Arts in Avondale, in the capital. It was recorded by his long-time friend, Lyton Ngolomi under Lyton Studios.

After being accused over regurgitating the same beat in all his six albums, Mhere tried to rejuvenate his beat, bringing in, borrowing and even discarding the basic tenets of his mundane beat to come up with a good sound.

In any case the experiment could have gone wrong, but his introduction of several instruments among the saxophone, lead guitar which he blended with a contemporary beat edified his whole album, making it worthwhile to listen to.

The collaborations he did with seasoned gospel artists, Kudzi Nyakudya, Bethany Pasinawako and the sensational gospel diva Olinda Marowa added the much needed diversity in terms of lyrical content, while the voices of the two gave a refreshing angle to Mhere’s discography.

The touches on several issues, while the message on Christian’s relationship with God is the major thread line cutting across most of the songs.

Some of the songs on the album include “Wadya Muchero”, “Sarafina”, “Simba”, the title track “Panogara Nyasha”, “Porofita”, “Emmanuel” and Matables”, which he collaborated with Bethany and Kudzi.

In the track “Sarafina”, Mhere extols Sarafina not be like the Biblical Lot’s wife who became a pillar of salt after she repeatedly ignored advice not to look back to Gomorrah.

“Mukadzi Wamakandipa” is targeted at individuals who cannot merely concede failure, but always find a scapegoat for their misfortunes, throwing diatribe even to people who have nothing to do with their lives.

Unlike in “Mukadzi Wamakandipa”, which is fast paced, Mathias slows down the tempo to accommodate Olinda’s voice in the track titled “Simba”.

The unmistakeable voice of Olinda gives the song a plausible and refreshing flair.

It appears the song “Matables”, which Mhere collaborated with Kudzi and Bethany has also found favour with legions of gospel fans, judging by the airplay it has been receiving on local radio stations, since the album’s release.

In an interview with Mhere, expressed his gratitude to his fans for the positive response to his album.

“I worked hard to ensure that the album becomes a success, and I am humbled by the response I have been receiving from gospel fans.

“I am confident that we should be able to push volumes of genuine album sales,” he said.

Coming just a year after the release of his sixth album, “Old Testament”, a social commentary which proved to be popular with gospel fans, “Panogara Nyasha” is a positive shift from most of his previous works.