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Charamba pens for Vabati VaJehova

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Popular gospel musician Charles Charamba has penned a song for renowned apostolic choral group Vabati VaJehova that will be featured on their latest album to be released next month.

Popular gospel musician Charles Charamba has penned a song for renowned apostolic choral group Vabati VaJehova that will be featured on their latest album to be released next month.

Jairos Saunyama Own Correspondent

The song titled Mucherechedzo Vekunamata will be part of the eight songs on the group’s 15th album since 1999.

Richard Magaya, one of the top members of the choral group, confirmed the development and said the move by Charamba was a symbol of unity among gospel musicians in the country.

“In November 2011 Baba Charamba told us that he wanted to write a song for us to sing in accapela and we thought it was just a joke. He is our long-time friend and has been supporting us through having joint shows, but we were not expecting this.

“In December last year, Baba Charamba unexpectedly delivered to us the song and we were all happy about it. What he has done is a symbol of unity that should be emulated by other musicians.

“The song will be on our latest album that will be on the market next month. We are currently in the studio and we have so far completed four songs,” said Magaya.

The new album follows a two-year sabbatical after the group released an album.

Vabati VaJehova last recorded the album Zororo Kumatenga early in 2013 before going into hibernation.

The 12-member group, undoubtedly the pioneers of apostolic choral music, boasts of 14 albums since their arrival on the music radar at the dawn of the new millennium.

But like any other musician or group, the ensemble has fallen victim to the disastrous effects of piracy which saw them raising money through live shows instead of sales.

Apostolic choral gospel music is just simple acapella and at times coupled with the clapping of hands and rattles.

The albums Mweya Mutsvene WaMamwari and Wauya Mucheki were on the frontline paving way for other releases.

The emergence of Vabati VaJehovah was followed by several groups like Vaparidzi Veshoko, Vabati Vevhangeri and Chiedza Chevatendi, who further enhanced the rise of the popular type of gospel music.