Lilongwe based gospel group Great Angels which is set to launch its fourth album titled Mwasankha Ine this coming weekend has revealed that the album has received an overwhelming response managing to sell 79,000 copies of CDs.

The group's member Ephraim Zonda said on Sunday that they have achieved a great feat with the latest album surpassing their other previous albums.

"These days it is difficult to sell CDs with piracy rampant on the market but we are thankful to God that we have sold lots of copies with the new album and we would like to thank people for the support," said Zonda.

He said they are currently working on a DVD for the new album which has 10 songs and was recorded in Blantyre at Groove Magic by Joseph Tembo.

Asked what has been their secret, Zonda said as a group they have remained consistent in their compositions and that they have maintained their own unique style.

"If you look at all our albums you will notice that we have maintained our touch and this is the brand we want to maintain and so this is what has impressed Malawians out there. As a group we are looking at performing outside the country to raise the country's flag as well as preach the word of God to the world," said Zonda.

Having first launched the album in Lilongwe on January 1, the group comes down to the Southern region launching the album at Gymkhana Club in Zomba on Saturday before dating Robins Park Hall in Blantyre on Sunday. The group will then launch the album at Mzuzu Boma Park on April 5.

Zonda said their albums have mature messages and that the latest has messages of hope and unity among others.

Some of the songs which are in the album include 'Musalolele Mulungu,' currently enjoying airplay in the local radio stations, 'Tadikira,' 'Wasankha Ine,' 'Opanda Dipo,' 'Mphamvu Ndilibe,' 'Akuimila Ndani,' and 'Samadziwa Kanthu.'

Zonda said the artists set to spice up the launch in Blantyre include Kamuzu Barracks Gospel Singers, Thocco Katimba, Mlaka Maliro, Evans Meleka, Limbani Simenti, Favoured

Martha, Peter Mlangeni and Marvellous Deeds while in Zomba they will have the support of Katimba, Mlaka, Mlangeni, Simenti and Meleka.

In Mzuzu, the launch will have on board other performances from Meleka, Simenti, Katimba, Mlangeni, Martha Nthakomwa, Kelvin Sato and Donnex Muva.

However, with a long line up, some quarters have complained that the main headliners do not manage to perform more songs but Zonda said they will start the show as early as 11am.

"We are starting as early as 11am because we want to give a chance to the other supporting artists to perform and then come in the afternoon we start live performances. We are ready and we just want to call upon people to come in large numbers," he said.

Zonda also said they have not compromised on equipment as they will be using Entertainers Promotions equipment.

Great Angels started in the 1980s but the group started recording albums in 2005. So far the group has 20 members.

Their previous albums include Ndiyende Bwanji, Gwireni Dzanja and Mundifungatile.