Harare — Sungura artiste Alick "Extrabasso" Macheso has thrown his weight behind the production of music cassettes saying there was demand on the market.

The Madhawu hitmaker also hinted that his upcoming album would be sold on CDs and cassettes despite criticism that he was failing to embrace new technology.

"The market is awash with people who buy cassettes and the demand is ever-increasing. What will happen to those people if we produce CDs and DVDs only?" he said.

"It then means dividing the market and thereby causing dissatisfaction on the part of our customers."

Macheso said people should acknowledge the existence of social classes adding that it was his duty to make sure that all his fans got equal share of the product.

"Remember that there are people who stay in places like Muzarabani, Rutenga, Chimanimani and other remote areas who do not have CD players, but still want to buy the music. I provide them with cassettes.

"If you think we are still backward, then you do not appreciate the social levels that exist between the people and us. Being in business, we have to cater for everyone.

"Remember, we created the Cheso Power website to cater for those with Internet facilities while at the same time it was a marketing strategy. There are various ways through which we can be accessed depending on which facility one uses," he said. Macheso was speaking on the sidelines of his rehearsals at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex, saying he would record his new album at Last Power studio whose release date was yet to be announced. He hinted that everything was now in order and that he would go into the studio once he made final touches to some of the songs.

A combination of lead guitarists Donald Gogo and Noel Nyazanda is likely to add a new flavour to his music while retaining the likes of Lucky Mumiriki, Zakaria Zakaria, Obert Gomba, Jonas Kasa-mba, Elton Muropa, Franco "Slomo" Dhaka who would guarantee consistence in his sungura genre.

However, the greatest challenge would be on his new dancers, as fans would be looking forward to a new dimension to both stage performances and videos.

The dismissed Tomato Boys were popular with Borrowdale and Razor Wire dances that mesmerised fans both on and off stage.

The forthcoming album is likely to ride on the success of his previous chart topper -- Ndezvashe-eh.