On Easter Sunday when Christians around the world celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Ndirande Anglican Voices decided to sing to this by launching their seventh album titled Ndimamvetsera Kumwamba at Comesa Hall in Blantyre.
It has been a long mission of refining, mixing, recording, shooting and consultation for the Ndirande Township-based group before their outing that pulled a gigantic audience that included Anglican Bishop Alinafe Kalemba at Comesa Hall.
Having held a listening session for the first time at Sunbird Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre in November last year where they also fetched huge sums, the group continued from where they left and gave people a perfect Easter treat.
With support from a number of partners including Times Group, the launch, saw the album make huge sums during auction with the highest bidder being a family of the Mkandawires that got a flash disk at K500, 000.
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Their entry, which came a bit late on the day, was different than other acts; they used the main entrance and not the backstage; likewise when they were exiting the stage.
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The group was decently dressed on the day with womenfolk in their navy blue skirts and white blouses and silver shoes whereas the menfolk wore black trousers and navy blue tops except the lead singer Dennis Kalimbe, who was in a navy blue suit but the male members were all in Air Force sneakers.
As headliners, Ndirande Anglican Voices did not disappoint in their performance that saw them get sweaty as they served five songs from the album starting off with a praise and worship track ‘Ndinu Woyera’ but it was the title track ‘Ndimamvetsera Kumwamba’ which resonated the most.
The group also had time to serve some songs from their other albums before they bowed out with ‘Ndikumva Kukoma’ to pave way for other curtainraisers, who had not yet performed including The Great Angels Choir from Lilongwe.
However, due to other challenges Great Angels Choir and Shammah Vocals did not manage to perform.
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Despite the setback at the end, Kalimbe hailed people for coming out in large numbers saying next up, they will also launch the album in Lilongwe and Mzuzu.
He then thanked Times Group for partnering them to execute what he described as a top class launch.
“I am overwhelmed with joy for what people have done. Their support cannot be taken for granted. Families came and enjoyed every moment. Let me also take this opportunity to thank Times Group, they are a friend,” Kalimbe said.
He said the turnout by the people was testimony enough that the album “is good with powerful messages”.
Times Group official Martin Phiri said they were happy to work with Ndirande Anglican Voices during the launch.
“We just want to call open people out there to advertise with us. We are open in all our platforms and affordable in our pricing,” Phiri said.
Other songs that make up the album which was recorded at Umi Wangu Records by Kalimbe and M Studios by Steven Meleka include ‘Lero Lino’ and ‘Usalisinthe Dzina’.
Before Ndirande Anglican Voices took to the stage, the audience was treated to performances by, among others, Miracle Chinga, Favoured Martha and Mlaka Maliro.
Ndirande Anglican Voices started in 1999 before debuting with Ndasayina in 2001.
Their other collections are Tiyeni Tonse, Mulungu Amatikondera, Ndasamba Mmanja, Zimandikwanira and Namondwe Tonthola.
