Michael Mahendere ‘gets personal with God’

Mahendere Brothers

THE desire to introduce a new beat in music has seen Michael Mahendere teaming up with 12 others to form a choir whose debut album will be launched in Harare next month. Michael — who is a member of the evergreen Mahendere Brothers — arranged, produced, wrote and played the music instruments on most of the songs on the album.

Preparations for the launch are already on course with Michael saying they expect a good turnout at the launch. Titled “Getting Personal with God”, the 14-track album will be launched at Kingstons House.

The album promises to be a masterpiece, judging by the calibre of artistes who contributed their efforts and talent to fine-tune it.

These include Michael’s elder brother Amos, their two sisters, and several friends who are artistes and fellow church members, who are either active musicians in their own right or have a rich musical background.

“The purpose of the album is to produce something new for a new audience, a novel beat that is different from our own Mahendere brand. 

“We are creating something new for the worship audience and expand the arena,” Michael said. He said the album is a blend of traditional church hymns and the Hillsong of music, a decision they undertook to attract a wide fan base. “Although it is mainly a worship album, there are, however, some praise songs on which Amos does the lead vocals,” he said.

Some of the songs the group is expected to play at the launch include “Watakura Kuipa Jesu”, “Holy Forever”, “Love Song”, “Soldiers of the Cross”, Jehovah Is Your Name”, “Hosanna Kudenga” and “Yours Forever” which are sung in both English and Shona. The album will have a lot of surprises and thrills, from a family that has stamped their authority on the local gospel scene.

The 29-year-old artiste, who received a Mercedes- Benz E320 as a wedding present from Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa, is one of the leaders of the United Family International Church choir.  The album was recorded at Monolio Studios owned by Clive “Mono” Mukundu and Far Records. Michael is the fourth of the Mahendere siblings — Akim, Amos and Misheck — who make up the popular gospel group. Herald