The Herald (Harare)
February 19, 2007
Posted to the web February 20, 2007
Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Harare
VESSELS of Honour, a gospel group that was once fronted by the late Jacqueline "Jackie" Madondo has made a triumphant return on the music scene after a five-year lull.
The group, which boasts of talented musicians and performers, is preparing to drop their first album without its leader Jackie who died in 2004. The group released their debut album -- Mazuva Acho -- in 2002.
The 15-track album, aptly titled The Return (Praise and Worship Experience), features some of the new and old songs from the album -- Mazuva Acho -- including a remix of the title track and Kana Zuva.
Asked why they took long to release an album, Kudzai Ndoro, one of the group members, said they didn't want to give listeners a half-baked project.
"We cooked it and baked it well and we believe this project is something worthy listeners' ears," he said.
About the title of the album, Pride Priestly, a new member of the group, said it was simply a praise and worship CD.
"Instead of people waiting to go to church to hear the praise and worship music, they now have something to listen to in the comfort of their homes, cars and commuter omnibuses," he said.
Some of the tracks are popular in most churches while others have been given a new flavour. Some of the tracks include Nditarirei -- co-written by Emelda and Marbel -- Huyai Tirumbidze and Tichitenda Mwari Baba penned by the late Jackie.
Since the death of Jackie, the group saw Pride Priestly, formerly a solo artiste, joining the outfit.
Besides Priestly, other members of the group are Marbel Nengere nee Madondo, Emelda Mudzamiri and Pamela Ndoro, Kudzai's wife.
Apparently, Priestly is married to Marbel and the two tied the knot last December in Harare.
Priestly, who came onto the scene with his solo effort titled I Can Hear Your Voice with Jabula Music, is one of the best male vocalists on the gospel scene.
His debut album featured a medley of sounds including the popular sungura track titled Shamwari Lodza about HIV and Aids that put him into spotlight.
Since the release of that album in 2003, Priestly went quiet during which time he proposed to Marbel. The couple has joined hands with the Ndoros and is now a happy lot.
"There are several couple gospel musicians out there. We have the Charambas, the Sulumas, Mujukoros, Mutsvenes and the like. So we are not the only ones and this has been made possible because we share the same background as well as influences," said Priestly.
He said the group would stay intact, adding that they were bound by one common goal "to remain a Christian group."
Kudzai, Marbel and Pamela have been part of Shingisai Suluma's Joy Street Choir while Marbel was also involved in the late Jackie's last album called Achadzoka.
Emelda, the only single member of the group, is currently doing her Upper Six.
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