Ephraim Galaha Masindi's latest music offering, titled Thase ya Haluvhimbi (beautiful girl from Haluvhimbi) is due to be released on 15 February, and promises to be yet another hit sensation with his fans.
This highly respected artist, who started his music career in church, says that this EP, which he produced especially for his eager fans, might be his best work yet. "It was the pressure from my fans that compelled me to work on this album. They begged me to record another full album, but due to my tight personal schedule, it was not possible for me to do a full album immediately, so I decided to record these four tracks to keep my fans happy," he said.
Masindi, who is a teacher by profession and a lead-guitar wizard, has two successful Tshivenda albums under his belt He drew inspiration from Zimbabwean superstars such as Oliver Mtukudzi and Thomas Mapfumo.
The title track on his latest four-track album, Thase ya Haluvhimbi, holds a special meaning. "The beauty of this girl from the rural village of Haluvhimbi sets tongues wagging wherever she goes. She is the most perfect gift that nature could offer to humanity, and everyone admires her beauty," he explains.
Masindi says that music lovers would not be able to resist dancing to the powerful tracks on the album. The other songs are Dibviseni mafhungoni, Mulalo, and Vha no da vha re na mari, a Shona track meaning people love those with money. "My music is influenced by both Afro Jazz and Zimbabwean Rhumba. That is why I included the Shona song, Vha no da vha re na mari, because I also have a huge following in Zimbabwe, especially in the town of Beitbridge just across the border. My plan is to officially launch this extended play in Zimbabwe around March this year," he said.
He has some advice for young people who want to follow a career in music. "Music is a very good career, but you must seek education first. The music industry is unpredictable, so you need to have something to fall back on when your music career hits a snag."
Thase ya Haluvhimbi will be available in all online music stores when it is released on the 15th of this month.