MATHIAS MHERE'S TIME OF FAVOUR

Mathias Mhere's latest offering “Nguva Yenyasha” affirms that he is no passing fad but real value for the gospel fraternity.

The album, which enjoying heavy rotation at social functions, public transport, shops and on air is a well-executed effort with a range of lyrical mastery delivered by Mhere’s rich and effortlessly mellow vocals.

“Nguva Yenyasha” is a notable burst of creative energy which comes at a time when Mhere’s previous offering, “Anoita Minana,” is still doing well.

Keyboard prodigy Lyton Ngolomi retains the trademark soul-searching, jazzy tempo that spiced “Anoita Minana” while experimenting with faster-paced beats on some of the tracks.

Bethen Pasinawako, Ngolomi’s wife, adds value to the project with her mature voice which has flawlessly blended with other artistes including Blessing Shumba, Sabastian Magacha and Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave in previous collaborations.

While the gospel arena has been frequented by one-hit wonders who mesmerise fans with polished debuts but fail to last the distance, the Gutu-born Mhere is set to write an exciting piece of history.

The eight-track album carries songs “Ziya Rangu”, “Idya Tafura”, “Zino Irema”, “Number Busy”, “Mhandu Yedu”, “Peter Peter”, “Pamazuva Angu” and “Mutsvene Mutsvene”.

“Ziya Rangu” is a plea to God to bless the work of believers so that they do not toil in vain. Mhere invokes the promise of God to bless the endeavours of his children.

One may be forgiven to think that “Idya Tafura” is a sequel to “Favour” considering the theme of upliftment in the midst of adversity. Mhere urges the believer to flaunt the blessings of God unapologetically and spite detractors.

“Zino Irema” warns believers against being un- equally yoked with believers. It alludes to Hezekiah’s undue friendship to Babylon as a precursor to invasion by the enemy and warns Christians to be wary of allowing anyone into their lives as some people masquerade as friends with the intention of destroying your destiny.

In “Number Busy,” Mhere decks the mantle of an evangelist and warns against living in sin. Like the previous track, Mhere turns to the book of Isaiah and exhorts that just as Isaiah saw God the year King Uzziah died, worshippers will only see God the day sin dies in their lives.

The track is a sing-along with the catchy chorus which says praying to God with unconfessed sin is as futile as calling a busy number.

“Mhandu Yedu” tells Christians that the devil will always be an enemy so they must never be conciliatory with him.

My personal favourite, “Peter Peter”, shows that salvation does not come through merit or intelligence but revelation of the Lordship of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit to an individual.

The track also urges the church to exercise caution because not all spirits are of God, drawing on the passage of Peter’s Confession where the popular perceptions about Jesus were speculative and erroneous.

“Pamazuva Angu” is a plea to God to shed love abroad in the hearts of believers so that they shun pride to acknowledge and cherish each other as one body.

“Mutsvene Mutsvene” is a laid-back worship song which welcomes the Holy Spirit to immerse His church. It calls for a Pentecostal revival where God will heal the sick and commune directly with His church as of old.

“Nguva Yenyasha” is Mhere’s third album following “Tinoda Nyasha” (2008) and “Anoita Minana” (2012).a