{"id":398,"date":"2016-06-16T16:57:00","date_gmt":"2016-06-16T16:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mrmushava.wordpress.com\/2016\/06\/16\/early-treat-from-gospel-trio\/"},"modified":"2026-10-25T14:48:25","modified_gmt":"2026-10-25T14:48:25","slug":"early-treat-from-gospel-trio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blockspaceballads.com\/?p=398","title":{"rendered":"Early Treat from Gospel Trio"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n
\"http:\/\/www.zimbabwelatestnews.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Mathias-Mhere.jpg\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mathias Mhere <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
Zimbabwe\u2019s recording artists traditionally reserve the best wine for the festive season but gospel trio, Rev T.T Chivaviro, Mathias Mhere and Blessing Shumba, has opened the cellar in the first quarter of the year.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The highly regarded artists have allowed music lovers an early treat with exciting new albums released in recent weeks.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Chivaviro, Mhere and Shumba are currently among the foremost exponents of the genre, having been variously nominated for prestigious accolades this year, walking away with at least a gong each.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The musical triumvirate also enjoys crossover appeal as competitive songs like \u201cEbenezer\u201d and \u201cChimwe neChimwe\u201d peaked at Number 1 on national charts for the greater part of 2015.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
And now they have unofficially extended the festive mood with a wholesome spiritual diet certain to set the bar higher for their colleagues – and apparent cues to the conviction that their new sets will last the calendar.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
South Africa-based psalmist and pastor Chivaviro is back with a double feat, “Mhepo Inoperekedza: Tiri Munyasha Vol 2,” and “Tsitsi Dzake Ihuru” jointly launched this month.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Chivaviro is looking to deliver something for everyone as \u201cMhepo Inoperekedza\u201d features original compositions while \u201cTsitsi Dzake Ihuru\u201d is a compilation of traditional hymns.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The tag-along subtitle title, \u201cTiri Munyasha Vol 2\u201d may inivite the impression the pastor is looking to bask a little longer in the success of his breakthrough single \u201cEbenezer\/ Tiri Munyasha,\u201d but the music soon washes away the suspicion.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Mhere, one of the more consistent gospel performers since 2012 released “Double Double” last month barely a year after his controversially received 2015 album \u201cGlory to Glory.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The rise-to-the-occassion young artist has clearly put his problems behind and is pressing ahead with what he knows best.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
To his credit, Mhere has been dropping polished albums with rare prolificacy, compensating for the prolonged sabbaticals of older masters like Pastor Charles Charamba, Shingisai Suluma and Ivy Kombo.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Shumba had last released in 2014 but his album was still blazing and he ended the year well with the Cocacola\/ Radio Zimbabwe Song of the Year gong for \u201cChimwe neChimwe.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The humble \u00a0musician is back with “Calvary: Holy Psalms Vol 2,” a varied offering which is in the league of his previous masterpieces, \u201cShongwe” and \u201cNdiMwari.”<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Contrary to condescending opinion, gospel music remains a, if not the, leading genre in the country, and for some reason its exponents show the greatest consistency in the studio and onstage.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The genre has managed to incorporate an indigenous fusion and maintain messages which speak life to the audience, hence its enduring appeal across the generation gap.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Much had been made about the waning of traditional genres but gospel music has consistently produced exciting new voices and varied stlyes.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Where an increasing number of new entries basks in the glory of the old masters, riding on hymns and exhausted tunes, there are always exceptional phenomena such as Chivaviro, Mhere and Shumba.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The trio evokes the early years of Zimbabwean gospel music when greats such as Freedom Sengwayo and Brian Sibalo leaned on the Bible for timeless music but they are certainly bringing their distinct styles to the canon.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Blessing Shumba<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Shumba has maintained a commitment to quality since his accession half a decade ago. His latest offering, \u201cCalvary\u201d demonstrates a mature edge and there are a lot improvements on the album.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
As usual, the Mutare-based pastor sounds like an audio Bible set to instruments, heavily drawing on the scriptures and clearly out to build up his listeners instead of just entertaining them.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The varied and deep instrumentation provides a beautiful ambience to Shumba\u2019s mature vocals, a welcome departure from the computerised beats running town these days.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The12-track is likely to take Shumba places, though he might have enhanced his crossover appeal with more fast-paced beats to complement his laid-back worship mode.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Where an enriching experience of music anchored on wholesome content is concerned, though, Shumba is a league apart.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
My favourite is \u201cMatatenda,\u201d one of the danceable tracks on the set. The track is a joyful song about giving back to the original giver.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The opening track, \u201cTine Basa,\u201d \u00a0harps on the evangelistic vocation of the Christians. Shumba encourages gospel ministers to distinguish themselves in character, shunning malice but showing grace in humiliation and perseverance in poverty for the sake of the gospel.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The worship ethic is maintained in the second track where he invokes Jesus\u2019 letter to the Philadelphian church in Revelation to demonstrate the all-sufficiency of the Redeemer and the church\u2019s dependence on Him.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Shumba\u2019s wife Pauline comes in on the third track, \u201cZvaMwari,\u201d urging believers to support God\u2019s work by giving. Like most of the tracks, there is convincing biblical allusiveness.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The track recalls \u201cMapisarema\u201d from the previous set where just the instruments are enough to send the listener on a long spiritual pilgrimage.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
In this case, the message is that true giving is in the devotion of the spirit as no amount of giving materially is equal to what man owes God.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
It is the second time Shumba\u2019s wife is foregrounding her vocal abilities in her own right since the first volume of the worship series.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Shumba pushes the envelope further with two English tracks, \u201cStep by Step\u201d and \u201cMoving Mountains,” beautifully accented tracks where Shumba\u2019s deeper voice gives a nod to the great Brian Sibalo.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Mathias Mhere\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The younger Mhere is equally falling back on the scriptures for his messages but is more adapted to everyday contexts and colloquial language, good thing still because the message is especially for those outside the fold.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Mhere had the misfortune of being branded a Shumba copycat with his breakthrough album \u201cAnoita Minana\u201d but has been defining his own sound with the last three albums.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The opening track, \u201cMakorokoza muChurch,\u201d is trademark Mhere, taking on contemporary church debates, code-switching Christian language and street lingo.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The fast-paced track deals with the often debated concern that people are now going to church for quick-fix solutions to their wordly needs without a true conviction of God.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u201cNhau yaNoah\u201d revisits the story of the flood, popularised locally by Pastor Charamba\u2019s three \u201cMviro Mviro\u201d instalments on \u201cTinashe Akatendeka,\u201d \u201cExodus\u201d and \u201cPashoko Pangoma.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The track talks discusses different contexts, women at a beer party, sisters in the saloon, dismissing Noah\u2019s warning as secondary to their everyday hustles till destruction suddenly catches up with them.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The song is a reminder that the Great White Throne Judgement is imminent and inevitable.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u201cElijah naMwari,\u201d recalls \u201cthe mountain\u201d as God\u2019s traditional meeting place with His people, Elijah and Moses\u2019 encounters with God while striving in prayer, even the pair flanking Christ at the transfiguration, if you want to take the thread further.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Mhere then references the pentecostal practise of mountain prayers and urges believers to forego the comforts of the home and seek God without the distracting ambience of worldly affairs.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The track \u201cZimbabwe” is a nationalist offering in the tradition of Pastor Charamba\u2019s \u201cNyika Zimbabwe,” Takesure Zamar Ncube\u2019s \u201cPrayer for Zimbabwe,” Henry Olonga\u2019s \u201cOur Zimbabwe” and Culture T\u2019s \u201cTendai.”\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Clearly, the motherland is on the heart of Zimbabwean psalmists.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Tracks \u201cDouble Double,\u201d \u201cKesari,\u201d \u201cChanza,\u201d \u201cSimba,\u201d \u201cNhava yeBenzi\u201d make up the album.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Rev T.T Chivaviro<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Rev T.T Chivaviro is the most serving member of the trio but ironically the last to record a breakthrough.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Now that he has broken out of obscurity, his maturity shows on his latest offering, \u201cMhepo Inoperekedza\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
It remains to be seen, though, if the offering will scale up to the high bar set by his pervious album. Personally, I am already hooked to it, especially \u201cHandinyarare.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
This is a beautiful track in which the supplicant insists that He will not cease striving in prayer whatever discouragement he will face from critics.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The stubborn supplicant recalls others breaking through the roof, climbing atop the tree and clinging to the hem of the garment just to have an audience with the Saviour.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
I foresee this wholesome worship offering making its way into pentecostal praise and worship sets like \u201cEbenezer\u201d before it.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
To the lastest offering\u2019s credit, a few tracks may stake their claim to recognition in the highly competitive circuit, unlike the case with the previous album where only one track became a major hit.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The title track \u201cMhepo Inoperekedza,\u201d is homage to the Holy Spirit whom Chivaviro calls an accompanying force in every facet of life.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u201cZvichanaka\u201d is a word of assurance to believers that the lines will fall unto them in pleasant places.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Chivaviro turns the flame up with \u201cChikomborero,\u201d a danceable track which celebrates the blessings of God which flood the lives of those who believe.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u201cMercy Rewrote My Life\u201d is a feel-good track about Jesus\u2019 finished works on the cross transforming the life of the believer.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u201cKomborerai Vana Mai,\u201d \u201cPeace, Hope and Love\u201d and the instrumental to \u201cMhepo Inoperekedza\u201d make up the album.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mathias Mhere Zimbabwe\u2019s recording artists traditionally reserve the best wine for the festive season but gospel trio, Rev T.T Chivaviro, Mathias Mhere and Blessing Shumba, has opened the cellar in the first quarter of the year.\u00a0 The highly regarded artists have allowed music lovers an early treat with exciting new albums released in recent weeks. Chivaviro, Mhere and Shumba are currently among the foremost exponents of the genre, having been variously nominated for prestigious accolades this year, walking away with at least a gong each. The musical triumvirate also enjoys crossover appeal as competitive songs like \u201cEbenezer\u201d and \u201cChimwe neChimwe\u201d peaked at Number 1 on national charts for the greater part of 2015. And now they have unofficially extended the festive mood with a wholesome spiritual diet certain to set the bar higher for their colleagues – and apparent cues to the conviction that their new sets will last the calendar.\u00a0 South Africa-based psalmist and pastor Chivaviro is back with a double feat, “Mhepo Inoperekedza: Tiri Munyasha Vol 2,” and “Tsitsi Dzake Ihuru” jointly launched this month. Chivaviro is looking to deliver something for everyone as \u201cMhepo Inoperekedza\u201d features original compositions while \u201cTsitsi Dzake Ihuru\u201d is a compilation of traditional hymns. The tag-along subtitle title, \u201cTiri Munyasha Vol 2\u201d may inivite the impression the pastor is looking to bask a little longer in the success of his breakthrough single \u201cEbenezer\/ Tiri Munyasha,\u201d but the music soon washes away the suspicion. Mhere, one of the more consistent gospel performers since 2012 released “Double Double” last month barely a year after his controversially received 2015 album \u201cGlory to Glory.\u201d\u00a0 The rise-to-the-occassion young artist has clearly put his problems behind and is pressing ahead with what he knows best.\u00a0 To his credit, Mhere has been dropping polished albums with rare prolificacy, compensating for the prolonged sabbaticals of older masters like Pastor Charles Charamba, Shingisai Suluma and Ivy Kombo. Shumba had last released in 2014 but his album was still blazing and he ended the year well with the Cocacola\/ Radio Zimbabwe Song of the Year gong for \u201cChimwe neChimwe.\u201d The humble \u00a0musician is back with “Calvary: Holy Psalms Vol 2,” a varied offering which is in the league of his previous masterpieces, \u201cShongwe” and \u201cNdiMwari.” Contrary to condescending opinion, gospel music remains a, if not the, leading genre in the country, and for some reason its exponents show the greatest consistency in the studio and onstage.\u00a0 The genre has managed to incorporate an indigenous fusion and maintain messages which speak life to the audience, hence its enduring appeal across the generation gap. Much had been made about the waning of traditional genres but gospel music has consistently produced exciting new voices and varied stlyes.\u00a0 Where an increasing number of new entries basks in the glory of the old masters, riding on hymns and exhausted tunes, there are always exceptional phenomena such as Chivaviro, Mhere and Shumba. The trio evokes the early years of Zimbabwean gospel music when greats such as Freedom Sengwayo and Brian Sibalo leaned on the Bible for timeless music but they are certainly bringing their distinct styles to the canon. Blessing Shumba Shumba has maintained a commitment to quality since his accession half a decade ago. His latest offering, \u201cCalvary\u201d demonstrates a mature edge and there are a lot improvements on the album. As usual, the Mutare-based pastor sounds like an audio Bible set to instruments, heavily drawing on the scriptures and clearly out to build up his listeners instead of just entertaining them. The varied and deep instrumentation provides a beautiful ambience to Shumba\u2019s mature vocals, a welcome departure from the computerised beats running town these days.\u00a0 The12-track is likely to take Shumba places, though he might have enhanced his crossover appeal with more fast-paced beats to complement his laid-back worship mode.\u00a0 Where an enriching experience of music anchored on wholesome content is concerned, though, Shumba is a league apart. My favourite is \u201cMatatenda,\u201d one of the danceable tracks on the set. The track is a joyful song about giving back to the original giver.\u00a0 The opening track, \u201cTine Basa,\u201d \u00a0harps on the evangelistic vocation of the Christians. Shumba encourages gospel ministers to distinguish themselves in character, shunning malice but showing grace in humiliation and perseverance in poverty for the sake of the gospel.\u00a0 The worship ethic is maintained in the second track where he invokes Jesus\u2019 letter to the Philadelphian church in Revelation to demonstrate the all-sufficiency of the Redeemer and the church\u2019s dependence on Him.\u00a0 Shumba\u2019s wife Pauline comes in on the third track, \u201cZvaMwari,\u201d urging believers to support God\u2019s work by giving. Like most of the tracks, there is convincing biblical allusiveness.\u00a0 The track recalls \u201cMapisarema\u201d from the previous set where just the instruments are enough to send the listener on a long spiritual pilgrimage. In this case, the message is that true giving is in the devotion of the spirit as no amount of giving materially is equal to what man owes God.\u00a0 It is the second time Shumba\u2019s wife is foregrounding her vocal abilities in her own right since the first volume of the worship series. Shumba pushes the envelope further with two English tracks, \u201cStep by Step\u201d and \u201cMoving Mountains,” beautifully accented tracks where Shumba\u2019s deeper voice gives a nod to the great Brian Sibalo.\u00a0 Mathias Mhere\u00a0 The younger Mhere is equally falling back on the scriptures for his messages but is more adapted to everyday contexts and colloquial language, good thing still because the message is especially for those outside the fold.\u00a0 Mhere had the misfortune of being branded a Shumba copycat with his breakthrough album \u201cAnoita Minana\u201d but has been defining his own sound with the last three albums. The opening track, \u201cMakorokoza muChurch,\u201d is trademark Mhere, taking on contemporary church debates, code-switching Christian language and street lingo. The fast-paced track deals with the often debated concern that people are now going to church for quick-fix solutions to their wordly needs without a true conviction of God. \u201cNhau yaNoah\u201d revisits<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-398","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-music"],"yoast_head":"\nEarly Treat from Gospel Trio | Blockspace<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blockspaceballads.com\/?p=398\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Early Treat from Gospel Trio | Blockspace\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Mathias Mhere Zimbabwe\u2019s recording artists traditionally reserve the best wine for the festive season but gospel trio, Rev T.T Chivaviro, Mathias Mhere and Blessing Shumba, has opened the cellar in the first quarter of the year.\u00a0 The highly regarded artists have allowed music lovers an early treat with exciting new albums released in recent weeks. Chivaviro, Mhere and Shumba are currently among the foremost exponents of the genre, having been variously nominated for prestigious accolades this year, walking away with at least a gong each. The musical triumvirate also enjoys crossover appeal as competitive songs like \u201cEbenezer\u201d and \u201cChimwe neChimwe\u201d peaked at Number 1 on national charts for the greater part of 2015. And now they have unofficially extended the festive mood with a wholesome spiritual diet certain to set the bar higher for their colleagues – and apparent cues to the conviction that their new sets will last the calendar.\u00a0 South Africa-based psalmist and pastor Chivaviro is back with a double feat, “Mhepo Inoperekedza: Tiri Munyasha Vol 2,” and “Tsitsi Dzake Ihuru” jointly launched this month. Chivaviro is looking to deliver something for everyone as \u201cMhepo Inoperekedza\u201d features original compositions while \u201cTsitsi Dzake Ihuru\u201d is a compilation of traditional hymns. The tag-along subtitle title, \u201cTiri Munyasha Vol 2\u201d may inivite the impression the pastor is looking to bask a little longer in the success of his breakthrough single \u201cEbenezer\/ Tiri Munyasha,\u201d but the music soon washes away the suspicion. Mhere, one of the more consistent gospel performers since 2012 released “Double Double” last month barely a year after his controversially received 2015 album \u201cGlory to Glory.\u201d\u00a0 The rise-to-the-occassion young artist has clearly put his problems behind and is pressing ahead with what he knows best.\u00a0 To his credit, Mhere has been dropping polished albums with rare prolificacy, compensating for the prolonged sabbaticals of older masters like Pastor Charles Charamba, Shingisai Suluma and Ivy Kombo. Shumba had last released in 2014 but his album was still blazing and he ended the year well with the Cocacola\/ Radio Zimbabwe Song of the Year gong for \u201cChimwe neChimwe.\u201d The humble \u00a0musician is back with “Calvary: Holy Psalms Vol 2,” a varied offering which is in the league of his previous masterpieces, \u201cShongwe” and \u201cNdiMwari.” Contrary to condescending opinion, gospel music remains a, if not the, leading genre in the country, and for some reason its exponents show the greatest consistency in the studio and onstage.\u00a0 The genre has managed to incorporate an indigenous fusion and maintain messages which speak life to the audience, hence its enduring appeal across the generation gap. Much had been made about the waning of traditional genres but gospel music has consistently produced exciting new voices and varied stlyes.\u00a0 Where an increasing number of new entries basks in the glory of the old masters, riding on hymns and exhausted tunes, there are always exceptional phenomena such as Chivaviro, Mhere and Shumba. The trio evokes the early years of Zimbabwean gospel music when greats such as Freedom Sengwayo and Brian Sibalo leaned on the Bible for timeless music but they are certainly bringing their distinct styles to the canon. Blessing Shumba Shumba has maintained a commitment to quality since his accession half a decade ago. His latest offering, \u201cCalvary\u201d demonstrates a mature edge and there are a lot improvements on the album. As usual, the Mutare-based pastor sounds like an audio Bible set to instruments, heavily drawing on the scriptures and clearly out to build up his listeners instead of just entertaining them. The varied and deep instrumentation provides a beautiful ambience to Shumba\u2019s mature vocals, a welcome departure from the computerised beats running town these days.\u00a0 The12-track is likely to take Shumba places, though he might have enhanced his crossover appeal with more fast-paced beats to complement his laid-back worship mode.\u00a0 Where an enriching experience of music anchored on wholesome content is concerned, though, Shumba is a league apart. My favourite is \u201cMatatenda,\u201d one of the danceable tracks on the set. The track is a joyful song about giving back to the original giver.\u00a0 The opening track, \u201cTine Basa,\u201d \u00a0harps on the evangelistic vocation of the Christians. Shumba encourages gospel ministers to distinguish themselves in character, shunning malice but showing grace in humiliation and perseverance in poverty for the sake of the gospel.\u00a0 The worship ethic is maintained in the second track where he invokes Jesus\u2019 letter to the Philadelphian church in Revelation to demonstrate the all-sufficiency of the Redeemer and the church\u2019s dependence on Him.\u00a0 Shumba\u2019s wife Pauline comes in on the third track, \u201cZvaMwari,\u201d urging believers to support God\u2019s work by giving. Like most of the tracks, there is convincing biblical allusiveness.\u00a0 The track recalls \u201cMapisarema\u201d from the previous set where just the instruments are enough to send the listener on a long spiritual pilgrimage. In this case, the message is that true giving is in the devotion of the spirit as no amount of giving materially is equal to what man owes God.\u00a0 It is the second time Shumba\u2019s wife is foregrounding her vocal abilities in her own right since the first volume of the worship series. Shumba pushes the envelope further with two English tracks, \u201cStep by Step\u201d and \u201cMoving Mountains,” beautifully accented tracks where Shumba\u2019s deeper voice gives a nod to the great Brian Sibalo.\u00a0 Mathias Mhere\u00a0 The younger Mhere is equally falling back on the scriptures for his messages but is more adapted to everyday contexts and colloquial language, good thing still because the message is especially for those outside the fold.\u00a0 Mhere had the misfortune of being branded a Shumba copycat with his breakthrough album \u201cAnoita Minana\u201d but has been defining his own sound with the last three albums. The opening track, \u201cMakorokoza muChurch,\u201d is trademark Mhere, taking on contemporary church debates, code-switching Christian language and street lingo. The fast-paced track deals with the often debated concern that people are now going to church for quick-fix solutions to their wordly needs without a true conviction of God. \u201cNhau yaNoah\u201d revisits\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/blockspaceballads.com\/?p=398\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Blockspace\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2016-06-16T16:57:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-25T14:48:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/www.zimbabwelatestnews.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Mathias-Mhere.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"hardsouth\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"hardsouth\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 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\/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Early Treat from Gospel Trio | Blockspace","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/blockspaceballads.com\/?p=398","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Early Treat from Gospel Trio | Blockspace","og_description":"Mathias Mhere Zimbabwe\u2019s recording artists traditionally reserve the best wine for the festive season but gospel trio, Rev T.T Chivaviro, Mathias Mhere and Blessing Shumba, has opened the cellar in the first quarter of the year.\u00a0 The highly regarded artists have allowed music lovers an early treat with exciting new albums released in recent weeks. Chivaviro, Mhere and Shumba are currently among the foremost exponents of the genre, having been variously nominated for prestigious accolades this year, walking away with at least a gong each. The musical triumvirate also enjoys crossover appeal as competitive songs like \u201cEbenezer\u201d and \u201cChimwe neChimwe\u201d peaked at Number 1 on national charts for the greater part of 2015. And now they have unofficially extended the festive mood with a wholesome spiritual diet certain to set the bar higher for their colleagues – and apparent cues to the conviction that their new sets will last the calendar.\u00a0 South Africa-based psalmist and pastor Chivaviro is back with a double feat, “Mhepo Inoperekedza: Tiri Munyasha Vol 2,” and “Tsitsi Dzake Ihuru” jointly launched this month. Chivaviro is looking to deliver something for everyone as \u201cMhepo Inoperekedza\u201d features original compositions while \u201cTsitsi Dzake Ihuru\u201d is a compilation of traditional hymns. The tag-along subtitle title, \u201cTiri Munyasha Vol 2\u201d may inivite the impression the pastor is looking to bask a little longer in the success of his breakthrough single \u201cEbenezer\/ Tiri Munyasha,\u201d but the music soon washes away the suspicion. Mhere, one of the more consistent gospel performers since 2012 released “Double Double” last month barely a year after his controversially received 2015 album \u201cGlory to Glory.\u201d\u00a0 The rise-to-the-occassion young artist has clearly put his problems behind and is pressing ahead with what he knows best.\u00a0 To his credit, Mhere has been dropping polished albums with rare prolificacy, compensating for the prolonged sabbaticals of older masters like Pastor Charles Charamba, Shingisai Suluma and Ivy Kombo. Shumba had last released in 2014 but his album was still blazing and he ended the year well with the Cocacola\/ Radio Zimbabwe Song of the Year gong for \u201cChimwe neChimwe.\u201d The humble \u00a0musician is back with “Calvary: Holy Psalms Vol 2,” a varied offering which is in the league of his previous masterpieces, \u201cShongwe” and \u201cNdiMwari.” Contrary to condescending opinion, gospel music remains a, if not the, leading genre in the country, and for some reason its exponents show the greatest consistency in the studio and onstage.\u00a0 The genre has managed to incorporate an indigenous fusion and maintain messages which speak life to the audience, hence its enduring appeal across the generation gap. Much had been made about the waning of traditional genres but gospel music has consistently produced exciting new voices and varied stlyes.\u00a0 Where an increasing number of new entries basks in the glory of the old masters, riding on hymns and exhausted tunes, there are always exceptional phenomena such as Chivaviro, Mhere and Shumba. The trio evokes the early years of Zimbabwean gospel music when greats such as Freedom Sengwayo and Brian Sibalo leaned on the Bible for timeless music but they are certainly bringing their distinct styles to the canon. Blessing Shumba Shumba has maintained a commitment to quality since his accession half a decade ago. His latest offering, \u201cCalvary\u201d demonstrates a mature edge and there are a lot improvements on the album. As usual, the Mutare-based pastor sounds like an audio Bible set to instruments, heavily drawing on the scriptures and clearly out to build up his listeners instead of just entertaining them. The varied and deep instrumentation provides a beautiful ambience to Shumba\u2019s mature vocals, a welcome departure from the computerised beats running town these days.\u00a0 The12-track is likely to take Shumba places, though he might have enhanced his crossover appeal with more fast-paced beats to complement his laid-back worship mode.\u00a0 Where an enriching experience of music anchored on wholesome content is concerned, though, Shumba is a league apart. My favourite is \u201cMatatenda,\u201d one of the danceable tracks on the set. The track is a joyful song about giving back to the original giver.\u00a0 The opening track, \u201cTine Basa,\u201d \u00a0harps on the evangelistic vocation of the Christians. Shumba encourages gospel ministers to distinguish themselves in character, shunning malice but showing grace in humiliation and perseverance in poverty for the sake of the gospel.\u00a0 The worship ethic is maintained in the second track where he invokes Jesus\u2019 letter to the Philadelphian church in Revelation to demonstrate the all-sufficiency of the Redeemer and the church\u2019s dependence on Him.\u00a0 Shumba\u2019s wife Pauline comes in on the third track, \u201cZvaMwari,\u201d urging believers to support God\u2019s work by giving. Like most of the tracks, there is convincing biblical allusiveness.\u00a0 The track recalls \u201cMapisarema\u201d from the previous set where just the instruments are enough to send the listener on a long spiritual pilgrimage. In this case, the message is that true giving is in the devotion of the spirit as no amount of giving materially is equal to what man owes God.\u00a0 It is the second time Shumba\u2019s wife is foregrounding her vocal abilities in her own right since the first volume of the worship series. Shumba pushes the envelope further with two English tracks, \u201cStep by Step\u201d and \u201cMoving Mountains,” beautifully accented tracks where Shumba\u2019s deeper voice gives a nod to the great Brian Sibalo.\u00a0 Mathias Mhere\u00a0 The younger Mhere is equally falling back on the scriptures for his messages but is more adapted to everyday contexts and colloquial language, good thing still because the message is especially for those outside the fold.\u00a0 Mhere had the misfortune of being branded a Shumba copycat with his breakthrough album \u201cAnoita Minana\u201d but has been defining his own sound with the last three albums. The opening track, \u201cMakorokoza muChurch,\u201d is trademark Mhere, taking on contemporary church debates, code-switching Christian language and street lingo. The fast-paced track deals with the often debated concern that people are now going to church for quick-fix solutions to their wordly needs without a true conviction of God. \u201cNhau yaNoah\u201d revisits","og_url":"https:\/\/blockspaceballads.com\/?p=398","og_site_name":"Blockspace","article_published_time":"2016-06-16T16:57:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-10-25T14:48:25+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"http:\/\/www.zimbabwelatestnews.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Mathias-Mhere.jpg","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"author":"hardsouth","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"hardsouth","Est. reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/blockspaceballads.com\/?p=398#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/blockspaceballads.com\/?p=398"},"author":{"name":"hardsouth","@id":"https:\/\/blockspaceballads.com\/#\/schema\/person\/a336a678f28eacb341ce63c6b84b17d0"},"headline":"Early 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