The Redeemed set to rock gospel scene

gospel music the following month when they managed to record an eight-track CD album titled “Jesu Arimufudzi”.
Although the album met with a lukewarm response among listeners of gospel music, it sold very well in different branches of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe where they promote their own music.
Using rattles, horns and the traditional drum combined with a powerful blend of male vocals, the group looks set to rock the gospel music scene with inspirational gospel tunes, something that music lovers
should expect from their future albums.
Mr Medion Chiota, who is the group’s marketer, said his group was working on two projects this year which include a DVD album and a second album set for release later this year.
“We are already shooting videos for our DVD album which will also be titled ‘Jesu Arimufudzi’ because it carries videos to our album released last year.
“We are hoping to release the DVD by Easter. We are also busy with our second yet to be named album,” said Mr Chiota.
Although barely known among consumers of gospel music in
Zimbabwe, The Redeemed,
which hails from Epworth, is optimistic of a bright future.
“This March we have a show with Pastor Charamba where we are expecting to get exposure.
“Previously we have performed in numerous smaller venues around the country. Currently, our main focus is to have as much exposure as possible since we are still a new gospel music group,” said Mr Chiota
Asked on the origins of The Redeemed, Mr Chiota said it all started when some friends who are members of the Methodist Church in Epworth came together to form a gospel group that would sing the church’s conventional music.
The friends who included Weston Mchemwa, Terrence Mhere, Josiah Tambudzai, Thessius Shambare, had no plans to record an album until February, when they realised that their music had gained leverage among fans.
“That development gave birth to The Redeemed in January last year by some members of our church who wanted to keep melodies from Methodist Church alive.
“I was not yet a member of The Redeemed. I only joined a month later,” he said.
Mr Chiota explained that his group’s music was unique in that it sang the traditional “ubvuwi” type of music of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe.
“The main message carried in our music is that Jesus is everything in our lives. Everything is possible with God which also explains why we titled our CD album Jesu Arimufudzi,” said Mr Chiota.
Several other groups have mushroomed within the Methodist Church singing the same type of music although with different variations in style and tune.
These include The Blessed Voices, Mbare Singers, Nyasha Dzedenga, Boys of thunder and Dombo raMwari.
Like any other emerging gospel group in Zimbabwe, The Redeemed is faced with a number of problems ranging from piracy, poor returns for their music and poor funding.
They have also not been able to give full attention to their music due to work commitments by members of their group.
Current members of The Redeemed include Josiah Tambudzai, Cuthbert Gaura, Medion Chiota, Weston Mchemwa and Thessius Shambare, who all sing tenor while Terrence Mhere, Evans Masiiwa, Ashley Mawarire and Justice Marufu sing bass.