By style reporter

UNHERALED gospel musician Phillip Kambare will next Friday make his maiden stage appearance surrounded by a galaxy of gospel music stars when he launches his debut album titled Tauya Nerumbidzo.

Kambare, a congregant at the Kingdom Fire of God Ministries in Harare, will mark his entrance into the mainstream music scene when he launches his eight-track album at Century House in Harare.

Veteran musician Baba Mechanic Manyeruke, instrumentalist and producer Jonathan Mgazi, Pastor Savison Machetu and gospel songstress Mai Kuvheya will be the supporting acts.

Mgazi produced the album, which also features Mai Kuvheya on two songs Tomurumbidza and Muponesi Wangu.

“The hallmark of the album is praising and worshipping the Lord,” Kambare told Standard Style on Friday.

“The title track Tauya Nerumbidzo is much of a thanksgiving song. You will realise in this modern-day age people always expect God to do amazing things to them, but they don’t want to do that amazing work for God.

“We are more of cry-babies in the eyes of the Lord, but I am encouraging people to go and thank God for what He is doing for them.”

Kambare, who started singing in school and church choirs, said some of the songs are a reflection of his personal life.

“Songs such as Mabvisa Zvivi, Handina Mutoro and the popular hymn Ndaiwana Hama are a true reflection of the life I am living. Mabvisa Zvivi talks about my transformation in life from being a distance from the Lord to my closeness to Him. God made it possible,” he said.

“My life is a true reflection of God’s wonderful work and I encourage people to seek the Kingdom of God.”

While Kambare penned all the songs on the album, he co-wrote Handina Mutoro with a colleague.

“I compiled all the songs on the album, but on Handina Mutoro, there is input from a colleague, Honest Mushanguri. I really appreciate his effort on the track,” he said.

Other songs on the album include Ribatwe and Tinokunda.

Backed by Victorious Generations, Kambare said his music is influenced by South Africans — Solly Mahlangu, Sipho Makhabane and Benjamin Dube.

“I listen to South African music a lot and my beat is borrowed from South African gospel music although the title track Tauya Nerumbidzo is more of our own traditional beat,” he said.

Locally, Kambare said he is inspired by Minister Michael Mahendere, Mgazi, Amos Mahendere and Pastor Alexander Gunda.

He said he was delayed to release an album after the original band members dispersed due to other commitments.

“The original group disbanded before we could release an album with some members going out of the country. So, I had to coordinate and talk to some guys in church and we grouped and worked on this album,” he said.

“We have a lot of songs and another album is in the pipeline. We also have two videos coming out in August and I want to promise music followers good music coming from us.”

The album launch kicks off at 6pm and entrance is free of charge.

Source