Macheso album launch a success

Alick Macheso, fresh from a successful launch of his Tsoka Dzerwendo album in Harare will be taking the latest offering to Mudamburi Beer Gardens in Chivi tonight.

Smarting from posting a 100,000 copies sales in a day at the release of Tsoka Dzerwendo after a four-year hiatus, Baba Shero as Macheso is popularly known is set to keep fans spellbound at the popular watering hole.

The six-track Tsoka Dzerwendo (Ayayaa) contains songs Baba, Kurarama Inyasha, Wandirangaridza, Munyaradzi, Gungwa and Mude Mude which have all been received well by the public thus far.

Given the verve that fans from this side of the country have, the venue might prove to be too small for the Orchestra Mberikwazvo boss.

Despite the fact that today will be the last day of the long Easter holiday, with people expected to return to work tomorrow, the interest that the new album has created might see a bumper crowd at the already busy night spot.

Macheso's fan from Masvingo, Simbarashe Moyo said he would not be missing the show for anything.

"This show will be unique because we're anxious to hear him play Tsoka Dzerwendo songs live.

"All along, he's been sampling teasers of the songs as he wanted to beat piracy, but now we'll get to hear them all," said Moyo.

Meanwhile, hundreds of overjoyed fans thronged the Harare International Conference Centre last Thursday to attend the much-awaited Tsoka Dzerwendo album launch, following the success of the album's release, days earlier. It was reported that at least 150,000 were sold in the first five days.

Macheso's fans had been starved for four years as Baba Shero had last released a not so successful album – Kwatabva Mitunhu in 2012. Performers at the launch included Zimdancehall artistes Killer T, Ninja Lipsy and Soul Jah Love, urban groovers Trevor Dongo and Extra Large as well as Bryan Kadengu. While most delivered top notch performances, Ninja Lipsy left a lot to be desired and was actually booed off stage.

Never one to perform for a short while, Macheso, clad in a navy blue designer suit, introduced himself to the crowd with the song, Baba off his latest offering at around midnight. He played all six tracks from the latest album before taking fans down memory lane with songs such as Madhawu, Charakupa and Mundikumbuke.

His energetic performance stretched till the early hours of Friday with the artiste not showing any signs of tiring.

To congratulate Macheso on the album launch, Sulumani Chimbetu presented him a holiday voucher for two nights in Nyanga. Sulu in turn was given a signed copy of the new album.

Not to be outdone was tycoon Philip Chiyangwa, who, as usual gave Macheso a residential stand.

But, the main highlight of the launch was a Harare-based businessman – George Chimhini who purchased an original copy of Tsoka Dzerwendo for $5,000.

However, Macheso, whom many thought would fill up the HICC, especially considering the hype that was created after the album's release on Monday, failed to fill the conference centre which has a 4,500 carrying capacity.

His previous albums include Kwatakabva Mitunhu (Kure Kwekure), Zvinoda Kutendwa, Ndezvashe-eh, Vapupuri Pupurai, Zvido Zvenyu Kunyanya, Zvakanaka Zvakadaro, Simbaradzo, Vakiridzo and Magariro.