| Pastor G |
Urban contemporary gospel thoroughbred Pastor G’s stellar offering “Unstoppable Rhythm, Worship and Praise” is a fitting milestone for his fifteen years in the fraternity.
The fourteen-track album, which is replete with mellow jams and powerful biblical messages, is a throwback to the early hits which endeared Pastor G with gospel music lovers.
Most of the tracks affirm and celebrate of the beauty of the Christian identity, without reverting to self-praise (an error that must be exorcised from gospel music).
“The Remedy” is already doing well on the charts but I am sure it will soon be overtaken by other tracks, especially “Tatora,” should they get fair rotation on air.
Featured artists Mau Mau, Petronella Gobvu-Sengwayo, Marbel Madondo, Tatenda and Prophecy bring their own flair aboard for an overall rich worship experience.
Born Stanley Gwanzura in 1970, Pastor G, stormed the arena at the turn of the millennium and was consistent with popular hits such as “Tshibilika,” “Handifambi Ndega,” “Zvichanaka” and “My Home.”
He had a stint at Power FM’s fortnightly gospel show “Beats with a Message,” a platform which was also graced by another gospel great before him, Brian Sibalo, during the Radio 3 years.
After taking a min-sabbatical to attend to his studies, his rebound performances with Zimpraise, notably on “It’s All About Jesus” came as a pleasant surprise for starved fans.
And now the giant performer has gathered himself together for a massive comeback, recording a live DVD concurrently with the launch of “Unstoppable” a few weeks ago.
Pastor G, is far from losing his mojo if his latest offering is anything to go by. The album is the work is seasoned from the confectionary as presaged by the opening track “Makeke.”
The album has the marks of a mature offering, with the sound is flawlessly mastered, the vocals effortlessly melodious and the message thoroughly biblical.
One can fall in love with one track, play it on repeat hours on end, pick another favourite, amazed while they had not discovered it earlier and so forth.
Pastor G is one of the gospel musicians who have defined a niche. The consistent quality which runs the tapestry of the album is commendable and an affirmation that homework is mandatory.
Even when he picks hymns from the public domain his rendering of them still mesmerises if just for the quality of vocal and instrumental delivery.
Popular hymns (originally Methodist, I believe) “Mwari Muri Zuva,” “Ndinoshamiswa Kwazvo” and “Hakuna Hama” are seasoned with a confector’s touch and given a whole new feel.
I have previously faulted the recycling of hymns as an excuse for lack of creativity but I deign to retract. New renditions, when well-executed, give hymns a new lease of life.
Oliver Mtukudzi, for one, has done a great job with hymns on “Pfugama Unamate,” “Rumbidzai Jehovah” and at least one other gospel album (apparently both the earliest and the best of the trilogy) which I have been looking for in vain.
“Tatora,” my personal favourite from “Unstoppable,” is a celebratory jam which celebrates possession of the gates and operation under an open heaven.
“Tatora chimzvimbo edu, tatora makomborero edu, tatora iyo favour yedu, tatora. Tapinda mujoy, tapinda mufavour, tapinda tapinda, tatora,” the chorus celebrates tapping into the inheritance of the saints.
I commend music from this realm of revelation because it unapologetically stands on Bible truth instead of griping on a sub-scriptural level of engagement.
Pastor G joyfully announces on the outset: “This is a voice crying out in the wilderness, a clarion call going out to all world-changers, history-makers; all those who want to make a difference. This is the generation that should take back what the enemy has stolen. Tatora!”
It is a statement that influence is changing hands; an affirmation of the Bible prophecy that the mountain of God will be exalted in the last days; an end-time manifestation of the sons and daughters of God.
The title track “Unstoppable,” which merges personal testimony, biblical exhortation to hold on to faith because God always ultimately and a colloquial catch-phrase “I am unstoppable, zvaabho, zvaabho.”
Tracks “Ndinovimba Nemi,” “Wengoni,” “River,” “Greater,” “Worship Medley” and “Heart of a Lion” make up the rest of the album.