A local album, Let Them Speak, has sold over K1 million ($1,786) in the first month of release on various international platforms.
The album, done by Salima-based musicians Max Jere and Chakul Nyambo, was mixed and mastered in the United Kingdom (UK) with the aim of raising funds for the construction of a recording studio and a music academy at Senga Bay.
UK-based producers John Tobin and Olly McDermot under the Umoza Music Project expect to raise K3 million from the album. They also plan to record more albums until they raise enough funds for the two projects.
Said Tobin: “Let Them Speak international sales or press response is strong—we are being played from Italy to the US, and interest is increasing all the time. We have maximum five star reviews on iTunes.
“In the first month of release, we have raised enough money to start work on building the new Umoza Studio in Senga Bay. Foundations have been dug out and the first bricks laid so that the new studio, and music academy, is on its way.”
Tobin said the studio is expected to have a rehearsal area for bands, a video editing suite, among other facilities. He said the previous studio where they recorded Let Them Speak was rented and in poor condition.
“The landlord is now rebuilding. Max owned land, but did not have the funds to develop. So the objective is to create a studio that we own and is not rented, where Max and other Malawian musicians can record and use Max’s talents as musician, engineer and producer.
“So far, we have raised over K1 million and we have another K1.5 million to go, but we have no maximum target.
“We will, however, fund the building of the new Umoza Studio and music academy from sales of the music we have made together. It will be one of the best recording studios in the area when it is finished,” he said.n
