Published by the government of Zimbabwe
1 July 2008
Harare — GOSPEL musician John "Mr Fantastic" Mutoko, like the Biblical John the Baptist, is a man on a mission since storming the music industry some years back. His much-awaited album -- The Valley of Dry Bones -- is finally on the market.
After going through the hassles of recording against the background of work demands, the rising gospel musician's fourth album finally found its distribution channel last week.
And like the voice of John in the Wilderness, Mr Fantastic fearlessly uses music for ministry and this fourth project tackles many pertinent issues.
Like wine that gets better with age, the new offering depicts some aspects of maturity in content and the general arrangement.
The album has nine songs.
Deriving title from the book of the Prophet Ezekiel who was instructed by God to prophesy to the bones, the album is a "prophecy dealing with issues affecting mankind nowadays."
The album starts with a prayer in Zvimwe Zvinoda Minamato encouraging people the world over to turn to God for all their needs.
Papa I Praise Your Name is another praise and worship song that magnifies God and encourages people to always refer to God for their upkeep.
In Takumirirai Jesu, Mutoko tackles the most talked about subject of Jesus' second return where it is said those who worshipped him would have everlasting life while others would face their judgment.
Other songs on the album are Ndichange Ndiripo, Chikumbiro, Dzidzisai Vana, Vachasara Nani?, Zvimwe Zvinoreva-Nyengetera and Ndonzwa Manyukunyuku-Oda Aichata.
This fourth album is proves Mutoko's musical prowess -- if you listen carefully to the lyrical content, instrumentation and the general arrangement, the album is a must-listen-to. Mr Fantastic has certainly come of age.
Meanwhile, Mutoko has revealed that he will launch the album on August 12 at the Harare Gardens.
He says his music is inspired by theongoings in society.
"While I cannot deny that my background plays a part, it would be totally wrong for my fans to think that I am narrating my personal life to them.
"What I simply do is to keep my eyes wide open, watching and interpreting what is happening in society and then bring that to the attention of the people from a Christian's opinion," says Mutoko.
Mutoko also says just like the Biblical prophet Amos who could not be separated from his social background, he wouldn't deny that his experiences play a role in his compositions.
Zimbabwe Music Corporation is distributing the album.
Meanwhile, another unheralded name, Edmore Madhangi, has stormed the music industry with his latest release Tisvikewo an apt title registering his arrival in a competitive industry.
The Harare-based musician, who is popularly known as Wezhira in music circles, has released a six-track sungura album.
While some musicians have always gone for the obvious monotony and repetitious format, Madhangi has decided to give a unique taste of sungura music in Tisvikewo.
The album rolls with Mazirudo, a song which dwells on the Aids scourge that has seen massive reduction in the population.
Here Madhangi centres on the plight of those who got the disease unknowingly while Zano Rangu basically talks about those who went to the Diaspora and forgot their roots.
In Ushe Madzoro, Madhangi appeals to fans and other musicians to at least listen to his music.
"Tables turn and you never know, maybe in the near future I might be on top of the rest -- I am encouraging others to appreciate some people's music," Madhangi says.
The other tracks on this sungura album are Charinga, Dzinza Rangu Rakura and Mbiya Yamai Vangu -- love songs.
Hailing from Chivi, Madhangi derives the name of his band -- Nyaningwe Express -- from a mountain in Chivi near the district office, which happens to be his rural home.
Maybe the musician here got the idea from the late Leonard Dembo who christened his band Barura Express -- the name of another mountain also in Chivi.
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Great stuff... i have MY copy. Honestly our country is full of talent, the guy is excellent or may excellent as is his name. I listenede to the song called Ttakakumirirai Jesu blended with sweet backing vocalists. Well done Mr Fantastic and the overcomers, keep up the good job. We are blessed with yout music and God has set you aside for his mission. You have been concectrated there is no doubt about that.