Producer hails Macheso

talented musician.

The veteran sungura producer said he never commented on Macheso’s music before since he was “an interested party”.
“I have been inundated with calls from people trying to get my opinion on the latest Macheso album. Unfortunately, I can’t respond to them individually. It’s quite interesting to note that I’ve worked with Alick on all his albums except the current one and no one ever asked for my opinion on any of them.

“That suited me because I’m a behind-the-scenes guy and not a music critic. I was an interested party. The only time I put on a music critic hat is when I’m auditioning a band for recording purposes. To me Alick is a very talented artiste and his music has never changed, so there’s zero need for me to turn critic.

“I personally feel he is still as creative and as great an artiste as ever and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. I’d like to encourage him to be strong and carry on with his God-given talent. I hope I’ve, in brief, successfully satisfied all the queries I got concerning Cheso Power and his music. Continue to enjoy Zimbabwean music — thanks,” he posted on his Facebook page.

However, some critics say Nyamhondera’s comments were nothing but a veiled attempt to spruce up Macheso’s battered image after the resignations as well as closure of Last Power Media, in which he is a shareholder.

Another music producer, Peter “Cool Dude” Muparutsa – Nyamhondera’s former colleague – also threw his weight behind Macheso who is also known as Extrabasso to his fans.
Muparutsa also took to his Facebook page saying Zimbabwean music changed for the better since Macheso went solo.

“When Macheso went solo he came with a novel sound that took the music industry by storm. Zim Sungura Music has never been the same since. It’s because he is a true artiste who thinks outside the box. You cannot tie down a true artiste. He is always one step ahead,” he posted.

This follows a barrage of criticisms and lukewarm reception to Extrabasso’s latest album “Kwatakabva Mitunhu (Kure Kwekure)”.
At least most people thought Extrabasso’s experiment with beats was highly risky if not noisy. Others felt the album fell far short of expectations and lacked depth, lyrically as well as arrangement-wise.

Extrabasso got the respect in sungura music since the release of his debut “Magariro” and continued churning out chart-topping albums backed by his Orchestra Mberikwazvo.
His distinctive bass guitar skills redefined sungura music although here and there borrow from other genres including rhumba. While the trademark bass is an important part of his act, Extrabasso is known for his thought-provoking lyrics which reflect on the day-to-day life of ordinary Zimbabweans. There is no denying the fact the he also sings about his life experiences.