It’s not often that an artist releases a first album that you can listen to from beginning to end without feeling that perhaps they should have waited a bit and improved the vocals or instrumentation. So it’s a pleasant surprise when it happens- and gospel singer Shamiso’s “Continually” is one such production.

Christians and non-Christians alike will find the lyrics and melodies on this thirteen track debut truly heart warming. It’s the sort of album that you’ll want to sing along to in the morning or have as background music as you seek inner peace to retire at the end of the day.

Fadzi Shamiso Gukuta is a home-grown artist. Her Christian roots were sunk and nourished in Gweru and Harare Churches before she left ZImbabwe for a short stint in the UK where this project eventually saw the light of day.

She spent her formative teenage years attending Midlands Christian College, during which time she was one of the lead singers in an acapella vocal band, comprised of 14 friends and family members.

Her passion for songwriting began at the age of 17, when she wrote a tune to a friend’s poem. She also sang at Youth Encounter camps, which she attended almost annually throughout her teenage years.

At age 19, she moved to Harare to pursue her pharmacy studies at the University of Zimbabwe, and continued writing and serving in the Praise and Worship team at her new church, River of Life.

Her next group effort was as a part of a well-loved acapella group in Harare called Cornerstone, whose performances were often requested at weddings, university functions and a host of other venues.

Having completed her degree at UZ, 2001 saw Shamiso packing once again, and heading out to the UK to pursue a pharmacy career opportunity there. True to form, it wasn’t long before she started looking for musicians and producers to help her record her first project, while she sunk her teeth into serving on the Praise and Worship team at her local church.

This debut project was completed with the help of several different producers from the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe. The idea behind this was to give an international feel to the album and demonstrate the versatility of gospel music in this ever changing contemporary culture. It was initially entitled “All About Love”, but it was re-released in 2007 and received a rapturous reception in churches in the UK. Upon her return from the UK the official Zimbabwe launch was planned and held last year.

Those words, heart-warming, came to me over and over again during her powerful performance at the album launch. At one point I closed my eyes and totally got lost in the moment. At another I was dancing to the up-tempo title track.

“Continually”, I will listen to Shamiso. You may want to do the same…

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Collin   |2009-03-11 02:27:22 You go Fadz! Reply 0   0

Lorraine Mavengere   |2009-04-05 05:38:59 I have listen to the album more times than I can count and it still inspires and uplifts me. This is a must have for anyone's collection. I look forward to Shamiso's next release Reply 1   0

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