Better late than poor: Macheso
By Silence Charumbira in Durban
Sungura ace Alick Macheso has put his feet down and declared that it is better to release his next album late than have a poor project onto the market.
The artiste was talking to Showbiz on the sidelines of his tour of Durban Friday where he performed at Bellhaven Centre in the port city.
This follows a deadline miss after the artiste had initially pencilled in the release for September.
Macheso said the album was work in progress but he was now working flat out to ensure the album is released by Christmas time.
It will however be a hectic schedule for the Sungura maestro who is expected to fulfill performances in Mutare, Chipinge, Checheche, Hwange and the UK all in a space of one month.
But the singer insists all he would need are two or three weekdays per week in a space of three weeks to polish the six track album.
“Poto yacho yavakuda kubva asi semabikirwo esadza hatingamhanye kumona risati rakwata kana kupakura risati rashinyira. Rinoita mapundu kana mbodza zvekuti kudya kwacho hakunakidze. (The album is well on course but we cannot rush risking a poor release. We may rush but it will not be enjoyable),” said the singer.
“We are definitely working to release before Christmas.”
The singer who in the past two years has charmed South Africans, particularly in Limpopo province said he was also looking forward to some engagements with artistes from the south of the Limpopo for collaborations.
“The Phalaphala Royal Festival has helped us a lot in terms of exposure. We are hoping the conversations we had with artistes like Lira, Casper Nyovest and Sipho Hotstix Mabuse will enable us to come up with collaborations,” said Macheso.
On the home front, the artiste has been on a mentoring offensive collaborating with Kinnah, Seh Calaz, Princo and Sebastian Magacha while another one with Soul Jah Love “is in the pipeline”.
Publicist Tich Makahamadze said the moral in the Orchestra Mberikwazvo was very high.
“We have a very strong team that is competitive and raring to go. Everyone is happy and we are ready for the album,” he said.
The album is being recorded at Macheso’s Alema Studios and will get the touch of veteran producer Bothwell Nyamhondera.
On the Durban outing, Macheso enjoyed a good outing with a fair attendance given the rather slackened marketing.
He performs at Boksburg’s Ekurhuleni Hotel Saturday.
