Back when we were at school if someone got 100% in a test we said they had the ‘answer sheet’ for the exam. Sabastian Magacha this last weekend provided the answer sheet for music launches with the high octane launch of his fifth album, ‘Return to Sender’.
Although he didn’t score 100% on our cards, he came very close to it.
Magacha who was clad in designer attire provided by the exquisite men’s wear shop, 4May, jumped on stage and thrilled fans from beginning to end as he showed that not only does he hit the high notes but he also knows his samba moves.
For a minute I thought I was no longer in the 7 Arts Theatre because the colourful lighting added an exotic touch to the stage and the exuberant looking band and backing vocals just put the cherry on top of the cake.
The sound was great and the whole event was filmed for a DVD. VIP guests were treated to eats, drinks and bottled water.
The almost full to capacity theatre went into frenzy as the energetic Magacha belted out hit tracks from his previous albums , including the popular ‘Bhosvo’ and ‘Satani Imbavha’.
Magacha became a choir conductor as he led people to sing along to his new tracks ‘Back to Sender’ and the popular Sunday school song ‘Herudhe’.
The temperature went up in the already heated atmosphere when Magacha did a duet with one of the fathers of gospel music in the country, Baba Mechanic Manyeruke, on the track ‘Tinoenda Kure’.
The new album was put up for auction and first five copies sold for $50, though the highest bid was $2 000, we did not see the money coming out (unlike at the Peter Moyo launch where cash was paid and counted in full view of the audience) and it does not seem like he will be getting it because the bidders were seen arguing about who was the highest…
“The show was really exciting, I enjoyed myself big time,” said Talent Chuma who was part of the crowd that thronged the 800 seater theatre.
“Magacha put up a classical performance but I believe that the album ‘Tinaye Faithful God’ still remains his best album,” said Caro who hails from the capital.
The show was spiced up by a powerful curtain raising performances by the likes of award winning gospel rapper Mudiwa Hood, Pastor G, Zimpraise and a bit of reggae gospel from Pryminister.
:: See more pictures from the Sabastian Magacha launch here