Renowned poet, Chirikure Chirikure and human rights activist, Okay Machisa are set to drop launch their debut album entitled ‘Musoro’ at The Volt on Thursday June 29.

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This will not be the first time the two will be working together on a musical project as they once worked together under DeteMbira, a mbira group founded by Dr. Dumisani Maraire in the late 90’s.

“Okay Machisa, our colleague Edson Kachuta and myself played together for many years as part of DeteMbira. We performed extensively, culminating in the recording of the album Napukeni’.

“With time, most of the group members went their separate ways. But we would collaborate and perform together now and then with some of the members, locally and abroad,” said Chirikure.

In February 2017 the two decided to come together again with seven other experienced musicians to re-live their musical passion under of Machena Music.

“As Machena Music, we started working together in February 2017 and the recording of the album Musoro started earnestly at the end of March 2017 at Monolio Studios.”

“The album has 11 tracks that we believe are going to resonate well with many Zimbabweans who love good traditional contemporary music”, Machisa confidently weighed in.

Some of the songs on the album include the title track, ‘Musoro’, ‘Nyuchi’, ‘Mwana Wekuwana’, ‘Shohwari’, ‘Hondo’, ‘Chipo’ and ‘Chirimo’.

Machisa added that each song was inspired by different circumstances.

“All artists in the group have had different life experiences. These experiences inspired us in composing the songs that we think have meaning to the listeners. We want to share with our audience meaningful stuff, songs that stimulate the mind in an enjoyable and celebratory manner,” added Machisa.

The nine member band consists of Chirikure Chirikure , Okay Machisa, Edson Kachuta, Philimon Paswavaviri, Chrispen Tanganeropa Mujongondi, James Chasarira, Owen Shamu, Paul Muchefa, and Lloyd Chidikano.

“This album is in tandem with the main spirit behind Machena Music, which is to showcase contemporary traditional Zimbabwean music, with it’s roots anchored in a broad range of local music patterns. We develop very solid lyrics, fused with poetry and storytelling. We also fall back on some folk songs, but give them new renditions,” said Chirikure Chirikure.