The Sunday Mail
Baba na Mai Charamba
Desire Ncube
A desire to remain relevant in an ever shifting industry inspired Pastor Charles Charamba to introduce a jazzy feel to his latest album.
Known as the first couple of gospel music, Pastor Charamba and his wife Olivia have been on the gospel music scene for the past 17 years. Their latest ten track album “Wenazareta” was influenced by Pastor Charamba’s recent attainment of a Bachelor degree in Jazz from Africa University.
“Things are changing in our industry. There is competition, diversity, economic hardships among a whole lot of challenges that we are facing today. And just like anyone else who is determined to thrive, we decided to do something unique hence we recorded Wenazareta,” Amai Charamba said.
“As a family we are strong defenders of African traditional values and we use our music to advance that idea. The song Tsitsi, Nyasha neMutsa tells it all,” she said.
The three songs made their debut on the Star Fm’s Gospel Greats top 20 show some three months ago. However, the jazz fusion seems to be receiving lukewarm appreciation from most locals, something that even the couple admitted.
“Although people received our album with mixed feelings, I can confirm that among all our albums this is the album that has opened so many doors for us,” Amai Charamba said.
The duo said “Wenazareta” is enjoying massive airplay outside the country.
“The album is said to be failing to appeal here (locally) but out there it is performing wonders, transforming lives,” Pastor Charamba interjected.
“Our diversity has opened our popularity in foreign lands and if it was not because of the reception our album got here, we could not have thought of spreading our wings. In other words it was a blessing in disguise.
“In countries like Botswana and Mozambique we are making strides, this jazz fusion is just great,” said the father of five.
“We wanted to refresh our approach not just with our recent album but with our whole ministry.
“Our collaboration on this song is just the beginning in our transformation and we are proud of that,” he said.
Pastor Charamba expressed satisfaction with the way gospel music is enjoying lots of airplay, saying it encourages gospel artistes.
