Madzibaba in studio for 29th album

SUNGURA music grandee Nicholas “Madzibaba” Zakaria has said he was back in the studio to record his yet to be named 29th album set for release on April 5 if everything goes according to the script.

The Khiama Boys frontman last released an album titled Zadziso about two years ago.

In an interview with NewsDay Life & Style on the sidelines of his show at Blue BarPaninja in Southlea Park in Harare last week, Madzibaba said he was grateful to be back in the studio after COVID-19-induced disturbances.

“We will be launching our 29th album on April 5 at Nyaradzo in Chisipite, Harare. Although we are yet to name the album, I can confirm that it will carry six tracks. There will be a Chewa song on the album,” he said.

“I am happy and looking forward to this project as we continue to preach God’s work through song and dance. A lot of things, including COVID-19, have been hampering progress on this album, but we are grateful to God for keeping us alive.”

The talented left-handed guitarist, popularly known as “Senior Lecturer”, promised a perfect and mature album.

“So far, five of the songs have titles and these include Mabasa, Pasi Rachema, Alamu, NdiJesu and Pedyo naMwari. The sixth song is yet to be named, but that will be dealt with very soon,” he said.

“We had engaged Gift Amuli and Simon Mutambi to collaborate with us on one of the songs on this project. Unfortunately, they did not avail themselves as agreed. So, we are going ahead without them.”

Madzibaba also hinted on a collaborative project with his “student” and fellow sungura maestro Alick Macheso, a development that will see the two reignite their glory days when the latter was part of Khiama Boys.

The Senior Lecturer has a track record of nurturing musical greats, among them Mutambi and the late System Tazvida.