Though not signed by record company yet, album takes off

[caption id="attachment_37021" align="alignright" width="340"] FAN HIT: Christian Catholic Apostolic Church in Zion youth are spreading the word of God through their debut album[/caption]

A UITENHAGE choir has managed to sell hundreds of copies of its debut album before even being signed by a major record company.

The choir – 30 youth members of the Christian Catholic Apostolic Church in Zion – recently released Izulu uyolingena Ngolisebenzela (You Will Enter Heaven Through Your Work).

The 12-track album – nine of which are traditional charismatic Zion songs – also includes a collaboration with the late gospel artist Nobandla, who died last September.

The album's executive producer, Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe, said the collaboration was "steadily but surely proving to be the premise of the emerging success of this album, as most people who had listened to the album are commending the input of Nobandla [Linda Mangisa's stage name] especially".

"Another great aspect of the album is the uniqueness of the Zion music the choir has chosen to sing," Mangqwengqwe said.

The album, produced by Mthatha- based Fuzile Apleni, has received airplay on popular Umhlobo Wenene FM (UWFM) gospel show Iqonga lomculo weVangeli and other community stations.

UWFM gospel presenter Nomondo Vakalisa praised the "great" album.

"Their choice of music style could not have been more appropriate, as the market for the Zion type of music is not sufficiently being catered for in the music playing platforms," Vakalisa said.

"Nobandla did not hold herself back but instead adapted herself easily to the Zion style of music, and produced a great piece of work with so much passion.

"Sadly she could not listen to her work. The heavens are however rejoicing."

Mangqwengqwe said some companies "have shown interest to market and distribute the album, while hundreds of CDs have already been sold". - Yoliswa Sobuwa