Harare — AFTER several years of empty promises, sungura kingpin, Alick Macheso, has finally opened a recording studio.

The Last Power Media studio opened this week with sungura maestro Daiton Somanje immediately starting work on his latest album.

Also set to record at Last Power Media are Hosiah Chipanga and Taruvinga "Sugar Sugar" Manjokota. Meanwhile, talks are underway to add Kireni Zulu and Chiedza Chevatendi to the list of artistes scheduled to record at the new studio.

Macheso himself is yet to record a new album but there are a number of contractual issues that need to be ironed out with South African-based Mobile Music Trust before he can take his work to the new studio.

Macheso is still contracted to MMT who produced his latest album Ndezvashe-eh and its accompanying DVD in 2007.

Last Power Media is co-owned by Macheso, Bothwell Nyamhondera, one of the best music producers around, and an investor Laston "GP" Murerwa.

The studio's name was probably built around Murerwa's first name (Last) and Macheso's Cheso Power.

It becomes the third biggest recording studio, after Gramma, ZMC and Ngaavongwe (owned by musician Elias Musakwa), and Metro Studios.

Veteran musician, Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi has his own studio at his Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton, although it is largely for his own work upcoming artistes.

Nyamhondera has produced some of the country's finest musicians, including the late legends of sungura, Leonard Dembo, Simon Chimbetu, and the current "royal" gospel couple, Charles and Olivia Charamba, Tongai Moyo, Somandla Ndebele, Muzarabani-based Njerama Boys and Gift Amuli of Wamatuka fame, among other musicians.

Last Power Media has engaged renowned artistic and repertoire manager, Tichaona Makahamadze, previously at the now defunct RTP.

"All is in place now and I can safely say that the ball is already rolling," said Makahamadze.

"We already have Daiton Somanje recording and by the end of next week he will have finished and the music will be on the market.

"It has been great, venturing into this industry which already has big players.

"But I believe we will make it.

"We have already signed big names: Hosiah Chipanga and Sugar Sugar.

"We have many others who are heading our way.

"It is encouraging.

"The interest being shown in the studio by the musicians suggests we might end up being a big label -- who knows?"