THE First Family of gospel music, the Charambas — Charles and Olivia — will be staging what is their first significant performance after the release of their latest album WeNazaretha at Takashinga Cricket Club in Highfield, Harare, on Sunday afternoon.
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That the album failed to spark the expected response form the market in the initial phases is not a secret despite the long wait that the couple had their fans endure.
But Charamba feels otherwise and says the music has, in fact, broken barriers.
“We are not sure if the music has reached the people enough and we are starting to present it among our old music that the people know,” Charamba said.
“Traditionally, our music reaches the people after some time. It is like a baby that opens his eyes the day after birth.
“We have received a lot of compliments on the music, however. There is a big reception among a certain audience.”
Charamba conceded that the album may not be acceptable to the traditional followers of his music, but said he was still pleased with the feedback that the album had received.
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“We can now get feedback on different platforms every day,” he said.
“There is now a certain constituency that has come on board with this album and for your own information this is the first album to break into the Sony catalogue.”
Bruce Cheya, the spokesperson for Bodyslam Records, the organisation running the show, said they saw it fit to organise a gospel show for diversity. “We are known for Zimdancehall, but the truth is we listen to different genres of music,” Cheya said.
“This show is special for it is the first time the Charambas will be performing at Takashinga.”
The Charambas will perform alongside Revival Echoes, AFM Highfield Choir, Zaoga Choir, Truth Family, Ambassadors, CCAP Youth Choir and the Roman Catholic Choir.
This could sure be the time of reckoning for the Charambas who are now facing a lot of competition from the new crop of gospel musicians like Sabastian Magacha, Flem B, Mudiwa Hood and a lot others whose contemporary beats have revolutionised gospel music.
Sure gone are the days when Machanic Manyeruke would attract a sea of people once he strummed the guitar.
The question to be answered on Sunday, however, will be whether or not traditional gospel music still has space in this era and, of course, if WeNazaretha will sink in.
