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Macheso recording in South Africa?

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SUNGURA ace Alick Macheso appears to have finally resorted to recording in neighbouring South Africa as the work at his Aquatic Complex studio is yet to be finished two weeks after the deadline.

SUNGURA ace Alick Macheso appears to have finally resorted to recording in neighbouring South Africa as the work at his Aquatic Complex studio is yet to be finished two weeks after the deadline. SILENCE CHARUMBIRA ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER

Compounding his problems on the local scene is the festive season that is upon us and of course the fact that his main rival Sulumani Chimbetu has finally released his new offering Gunship.

According to sources close to the musician, the artiste is under pressure to release an album before the end of the year to give him a new lease of life after several damaging reports concerning his family and a similar number of court cases.

After his divorce from second wife Fortunate Tafadzwa Mapako, the musician suffered another low as his first daughter Sharon entered into a turbulent “marriage quickie” that also ended in acrimony.

The sympathy of his fans appears to have been stretched especially with the content drought after his not so successful previous album that was beaten left right and centre by rival Sulumani Chimbetu.

Macheso himself told NewsDay three weeks ago he would release his album before Christmas which is just over three weeks away.

Christmas is a fertile period for musicians as people tend to spend more when they make merry, whether at live gigs or on purchasing music.

After the festive season, live performances take a hiatus as the already burdened Zimbabweans grapple with the dreaded proverbial January disease which imposes a drought month for musicians.

Interestingly, there are reports that some of the “rebels” that had defected to form Extra Kwazvose may be on the way back in the wake of the musician’s lack of confidence with his new team.

Former drummer Obert Gomba who left Extra Kwazvose recently is said to have won the hearts of many at a recent show at New Life Nite Club in Budiriro.

“I think that gave Macheso some ideas. His new album has to come and win him fans again, but he is not confident with his new team. Gomba came last week and he proved his worth and I think there are movements coming soon,” said a source.

Tich Makamadze, former A&R manager at Macheso has also spent over two weeks in South Africa aiding the speculation that he could have been facilitating the recording.

But Macheso’s assistant manager Jetio Machanja refuted the claims saying they are not taking anyone on board.

“We have not discussed that at the office as yet. The team that is there can deliver and there is no reason for us to re-engage those that had left. He (Macheso) has not indicated to anyone that is what he wants,” said Machanja.

“As for the album, the studio is still under construction, but I have not heard anything about recording in South Africa. We are only going to South Africa for gigs in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban and Mafikeng. Anything apart from that is news to me.”

Sources in South Africa yesterday could not be drawn into revealing Macheso’s schedule, but said he would be performing in Durban on Friday.

The source, however, told NewsDay the musician who has been in South Africa for over a week already has been using his time off the stage to record as he tries to beat time.

Efforts to get a comment from Macheso’s manager William Tsandukwa were fruitless as his mobile number was not reachable.

Only time will tell, however,yet what is certain is music lovers are desperately waiting for his music.