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Lovemore Chikova Christian Entertainment
After I did my first review of an album on this column a few weeks ago, I received several messages on my email from readers wanting more such pieces.
The message was simple — those who follow this column want to read about album reviews, together with the latest on the Christian entertainment scene.
The major concern from the readers was that it looks as if there are no more gospel musicians who are producing new albums.
Their concern is based on that not many new projects by gospel musicians are being highlighted.
I will, of course, not turn this column into an album review platform, but will employ a strategy in which I will tackle an album once in a while.
Following this request, this week I am reviewing an album by gospel musician Kenneth Suwaleyi.
The musician has come up with a scintillating album simply title “Life”, which has 10 tracks.
Suwaleyi has been in gospel music for some time, but as a member of the popular gospel group Gospel Power.
Together with Gospel Power leader Pastor Lawrence Gunda, they have churned out a number of hit albums and this has prepared Suwaleyi for his solo projects.
What is good about Gospel Power is that its members can freely work on their projects, but come together to produce albums for the group.
This is why Suwaleyi had the confidence to come up with his own project that is set to take the airwaves by storm.
Suwaleyi’s album has a refreshing approach to the usual gospel songs that we are used to.
Most of the songs are done with an Afro-Jazz fusion which a listener can easily follow while doing other things and still not lose the message.
The instrumentation on the album is up to scratch, combining well the guitars and the keyboards.
On all the songs, the mellow flows, making them laid back and soft on the ear and Suwaleyi’s booming voice caps the good aspects of the album.
The album has the message of hope and progress as indicated by its title: “Life”.
The opening song, “Ngatidzokerayi” implores people to return to the basics and not turn back from continuing in the word and in Jesus.
It gives the example of the prodigal son who returned to his thoughts and came back to his father despite the sins he had committed both against God and against the father.
It is this opening song which defines the whole album as it sets the tone and the intention.
“Ndinobvuma” has a South African gospel music beat and Suwaleyi takes advantage of the song to ask God to rule over his life.
What is also good about the album is that there are songs in both Shona and Ndebele and this will make it cater for a wider audience.
For instance, the song “Sihamba Lo Jesu” calls upon people to follow Jesus and the faith even if things are difficult.
“Mvura Ngainaye” is more like a version of the English song “Let it Rain”, although the lyrics are not exactly the same.
In the song, Suwaleyi says people want to receive rains of blessings, peace and healing.
He says all other people, including the educated, have failed to bring such rains and only Jesus can do that.
On “Kuita KwaJesu”, Suwaleyi speaks on the blessings of God and how people’s lives can easily be transformed through believing.
He sings of a girl who is lowly regarded in society, but ends up having a good wedding at a time no one imagined that she can be liked by any man.
Suwaleyi’s message on the song is simply that Jesus has the power to raise the poor from dust and set them among the rich in society.
He turns the gear up on “Kutenda Jesu” where he departs from the slow beat to a danceable one.
On this song, Suwaleyi lets the lead and bass guitars do the talking, while the message compliments the fast beat.
The song exalts the grace that is found in Jesus which is given freely to mankind and which liberated people from all sorts of sins that they were indulging in.
The other songs on the album are “Shoko Renyu”, which dwells on the promises in the word of God which have come true in many ways, and “Ziva Nguva”, which urges people to understand times and seasons.
The album closes with “Thul’mamele”, which assures people that God hears their prayers and their cries.
All the songs on the album were compiled and arranged by Suwaleyi who also provides the leading vocals.
The backing vocals are from Rise Muzira, Alice Marandure and Dummie Nyongola, while veteran guitarists Tariro “G-Fingers” Mufari and Norman Tapambwa play the lead and rhythm guitars.Israel Yoyolani does the bass guitar.
Response to last week’s installment
Following last week’s article on the Family Singers, I received the following response from Jonathan Wutawunashe, husband to the group’s lead singer Shuvai.
Greetings!
Thank you so much for thinking of us and for reminding us of what we should continue to live up to.
I just sent a message to Shuvai, telling her that we should stop letting the vision down and release some of the tens of new songs we have recorded, but have not released.
I shall try and send you a few mp3s so you can give us your valued opinion. Many friends are calling about the article, and that’s how I got to know about it.
Thank you so much for supporting us in such a significant way. It helps us to maintain focus on the need to continue our modest contribution to the Great Commission.
May the Lord cause His face to shine upon you, and bless the work of your hands.
Regards,
Jonathan
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