Alick Macheso under pressure

Ace sungura musician, Alick Macheso, is under pressure from his legion of fans to release an album for 2014 as he had promised.

He has, however, allayed fears and revealed he is speeding up construction of his recording studios and that the album would be released in the second half of the year.

The pressure for his album - release is mounting especially after his recent feud with his ex-wife 'Tafadzwa' Fortunate Mapako and his fans are expecting him to drop a bombshell of an album that mirrors developments in his social life.

Lately, Macheso has developed a knack of penning songs that are based on his personal experiences and such is expected in his forthcoming album.

Earlier this year, Macheso had promised to release his album with the working title Zvazvinhu but he deferred the project saying he was in the process of setting up a state- of-the-art studio at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex where his band rehearses.

Speaking to The Zimbabwe Mail on the sidelines of the Miss Zimbabwe beauty pageant last Saturday, Macheso assured his fans the studio construction was at advanced stages so fans must expect the album soon.

"Work at the studio is in progress and we have to speed it up so that we give our fans what they need. So far its on course, bhamu (album) ririkubuda manje manje gore risati rapera iyoyi mwedzi yatakatarisana nayo (the album is due for release soon before year end," said Macheso.

Fans have already had a foretaste of his new songs including Anebhora Ndiye Anomakwa, a song that's laden with his trademark bass guitar and lyrics that exhibit his excellent play with words.

Macheso is releasing an album in an environment that has seen man of the moment Jah Prayzah releasing a well received album, Kupfumbura Mhute.

His former band members who defected to form their band, Extra Kwazvose, recently released their second album titled Zvepasirino.

This development might also have 'scared' and triggered him (Macheso) to make a knee jerk reaction resulting in the speeding up of studio construction and subsequent album release.

Music critics submitted that on the current music landscape, Macheso and Sulumani Chimbetu's need to release albums in 2014 was inevitable if they have to maintain their grip on their fans.

Macheso's discography includes the albums Kwatakabva Mitunhu (Kure Kwekure), Zvinoda Kutendwa, Ndezvashe-eh Vapupuri Pupurai, Zvido Zvenyu Kunyanya, Zvakanaka Zvakadaro, Simbaradzo, Vakiridzo and Pakutema Munda.

The last album Kwatakabva Mitunhu received a lukewarm response.