| Mathias Mhere |
Mathias Mhere’s fourth album arrived last month amid a flare of controversy.
Whether speculation over Mhere’s personal problems has attracted, diverted or distorted emphasis with respect to the album, it is difficult to tell.
It is equally difficult to explain the popular appetite for the sensational at the expense of the substantial.
But what can be readily established, listening to the album, is that Mhere is musically still on top of his game.
If the title of the album, “Glory to Glory,” is anything to go by, Mhere is maturing with each new offering and staking his claim as one of the local gospel circuit’s finest performers.
The redemption theme runs the thread of the album, perhaps more poignantly than in Mhere’s previous albums.
One of the stellar hits on the album, “Nerimwe Ramazuva,” is at the centre of controversy.
The song is based on the Bible passage where Jesus pardons a woman caught in adultery after commanding those baying for her blood to stone her on the condition that they are themselves without sin.
Allegations of infidelity implicating Mhere’s wife have been speculated by some as having been stage-managed by the artist to push volumes for his album – a charge he denies.
“There is no such thing. No man can expose his family for the sake of fame,” Mhere told Medley. “This is the work of the devil trying to stop the work of the gospel.”
“I wrote Rimwe Ramazuva in 2009, around the same I wrote Chipostora,” said Mhere.
Rimwe Ramazuva says to desist from judging others as defining people by their past inhibits their potential.
Having listened to the song, I cannot readily understand why such a wholesome message on Mhere’s well-executed vocals should require a cheap publicity stunt.
The rise-to-the-occasion musician’s nine-track album is both biblically rich and lyrically versatile.
While it cannot be starkly contrasted to the previous two albums in terms of instrumental delivery, the album takes a new feel following Mhere’s change of producers from Lyton Ngolomi to Charles Ayibeki.
Mhere said he made the move so to have a distinct sound from other artists from his former stable.
Mhere shows off his other musical side on “It’s Not Over” where he plays the lead guitar.
Zimpraise vocalist Sharon Manyonganise backs Mhere on the tracks “Ephiziba” “It’s Not Over,” “Pahushamwari” and “Kumba Musauya,” while Patience Masiyambiri provides backs vocals on “Tsano Handei,” “Mwari Variko,” “Rimwe Ramazuva,” “Madzorerei” and “Vasiye Varonge.”
“Ephiziba” is a plea for youths to find and secure their life with Jesus early, a pertinent appeal as youths are prone to lose touch with counts and get prematurely destroyed in the fast lane.
“Tsano Handei” looks poised to be a crowd’s favourite. Like the previous track, it points the listener to Jesus as the only way there is to a satisfied life.
It warns those refusing to give their lives to Jesus in preference of their ancestral spirits and those worship at the altar of sexual immorality to be wary of destruction.
“Pahushamwari” is a fast-paced beat which warns listeners against deferring salvation for the false comfort zone of friendship as judgement is impending and hell unsparing.
“It’s Not Over” reminds Christians that while the devil was defeated on the cross, they should be wary of his wiles.
He captures for the chorus Matthew Ashimolowo’s signature statement “It’s not over until it’s over.”
“Madzorerei” is a plea for revival. Mhere yearns for the “years that the locust ate” – a pertinent point in that while Christians dully seek on gifts of the Spirit, their worship is in vain as long as it is in isolation of fruits of the Spirit.
Mhere yearns for the years of the apostles when love was the nature and sharing the culture.
Another notable track is “Vasiye Varonge.” Mhere encourages Christians to fear nothing as their lives are complete and secure in Christ. “Let them scheme. Their two pawns are no match for our three.”
Mhere earned acclaim with his second album “Anoita Minana” in 2012. He has been consistently on point with energetic stage performances and quality videos.