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Russia-based Zimbabwean musician John Mutoko has inked a collaboration deal with Mathias Mhere for a duet to feature on the former’s upcoming album.
Mutoko goes into studio next month for his fifth album and believes working with Mhere will add colour to his gospel music career.
Besides the need to unite and preach the gospel through music, Mutoko said the collaboration with Mhere was influenced by the fact that he admires the young man’s talent.
“First of all, I am teaming up with Mhere not because I only want to broaden my fan base but I am also his genuine fan. His songs minister to me in a special way, so having him feature on my album means a lot to me,” said Mutoko.
Popularly known as Mr Fantastic, Mutoko last released an album in 2010 and intends to return to showbiz with a bang through the duet.
Mhere, who turns 27 this weekend, said he is always elated to work with musicians in gospel circles and even beyond.
At his birthday bash slated for Kingston’s House in the city centre on Sunday, Mhere will rope in musicians Sabastain Magacha, Zimpraise Choir, Takesure Zamar and Jah Prayzah.
The musician said working with Mutoko is one of such joint projects that he has done with many musicians.
“I believe in working as a family. I work with many musicians as a way of praising God. We will be praising God with Mutoko and I hope his album will do well. I am ready to be in studio with him,” said Mhere.
He said he has known Mutoko for a long time and realised the foreign-based musician is good.
Many will remember Mutoko for songs such as “Zvimwe Zvinoda Minamato”, “Tsvakai Jesu Murarame” and “Ndine Chichemo” among others that did well on local airwaves.
He is a biology consultant in Russia and his international connections have seen him staging shows in countries like the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Oman and South Africa.
He attributed his four-year absence from active showbiz to a turbulent patch in his life.
“I find it easy to compose songs when I am holistically well. The 2011-2014 period was characterised by a few challenges in my life. My father was ill for a long period and I also fell ill in that period. We are both well and I am now juggling between work and music to make sure that the album comes out well.”
However, Mutoko said he does not put himself under pressure to release albums, but works according God’s desire. “Broadly speaking, artistes run their finances in one of two ways: they seek out a profitable sideline earning enough money to live and make art in their spare time; or they earn money in an art-related business.
“Music is my art-related side that is driven by the desire to be God’s messenger. However, my fans should subscribe to the fact being a gospel singer is about listening to what the spirit says. Secular musicians may feel the pressure to record every year but gospel artistes should only sit down to write a song when God whispers something into their hearts.”
In a general comment about the local music industry, Mutoko encouraged artistes to start income-generating projects besides music to ensure that they sustain themselves beyond art careers.
“Every Zimbabwean musician knows that piracy has gone rampant. I encourage my fellow musicians to have back-up plans so that artistes are not reduced to beggars. Hazvidi kuita rombe rechicelebrity zvikuru sei uri mwana waMwari.”
To date Mutoko has released four albums “Mwari Vakatendeka”, “The Valley of Dry Bones”, The Voice of Silence” and “Adelante’’.
Online Reporter