WHEN scores of people gathered yesterday at 7 Arts Theatre, Avondale, Harare, for award-winning gospel star Janet Manyowa’s The Father’s House album launch, little did they know she had a surprise up her sleeve.
She launched two albums instead.
Along with her 10-track album The Father's House, Manyowa also launched a second album titled Nenyasha which has five tracks consisting of a jazz duet of herself and pastor Dudu from Bulawayo. Reacting to the singer’s announcement that she is launching two albums instead of one, the crowd went wild.
“The album launch was amazing and I was not expecting to witness two albums being released in one night. The jazz aspect which is part of the second album was a perfect touch,” said one fan, Chido Manyeza.
“I was invited by my cousin who bought the ticket for me and while coming here I was thinking well, just another gospel show, but I was proven wrong. I actually enjoyed myself and I had no idea that there was going to be a second album. I think Janet is now at the peak of her career,” said Julia Lora Kawere another attendee.
The gospel diva's husband and manager Munyaradzi Manyowa, who co-ordinated the launch told NewsDay Life & Style during the event that they decided to surprise the people by giving them something extra because Janet will be celebrating her 10th anniversary in the music industry early next year.
“It is a surprise, we decided to launch two albums today which are her 4th and 5th albums, thereby giving our fans something a little bit extra. Considering that we are heading towards Janet's 10th anniversary in music which will be on January 4, 2024, we decided to give the fans out there more music.”
The Father's House album launch came two years after it was successfully recorded live at the Wanqoba concert in Bulawayo. The launch was initially slated for July 8, but was rescheduled for July 22.
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All VIP and standard seats were so packed that some fans had to sit on the stairs. Everything from the stage, sound and time management was well organised and Janet went straight to business soon after people were settled.
During her performance, Janet had collaborations with Joyful Praise who were dressed in their signature colours of green and white. There was Albert Nyathi who exploded the room with his gospel poetry which added flare to Janet's sound.
Indeed the launch was full of pleasant surprises for gospel enthusiasts, just as Janet had promised. One of the surprise acts was Prince Mafukidze who made the crowd dance to his all-time song Chitsike and the cherry on top was the jazz track which is part of her Nenyasha album with pastor Dudu who proved to be a true jazz master. The sound gave a classy and throwback touch to the launch seeing how the elderly in the room reacted in amusement.
Among those who graced the launch were Mai Chisamba, Jah Prayzah and Janet’s parents.
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