For a long time, live performances have been considered a gauge to measure some of the artists' talent.

This has not only helped them to gain substantial credit on music front but has also proved that they are not studio artists only.

One of the music bands that provide gospel musicians with such energetic services is Malimba Band from Ndirande in Blantyre.

Despite being active for less than three years, the youthful Malimba Band has achieved great things like business enterprise and spotlight, which is necessary for any thriving music group.

"Malimba band has worked with almost gospel musicians in the country. Talk of Ethel Kamwendo Banda, Favoured Sisters, Lloyd Phiri, Thoko Katimba. We have backed them all during their live performances. This relationship with different musicians is smooth," says Ritchard M'bwana aka Richoh, band leader for Malimba.

Malimba Band comprises bassist Aaron Kapenda, Stanley Jere (drummer), Richoh (keyboardist), OBK Lewis (second keyboardist), Godfrey Chikokota (lead guitarist) and Fransis Chimeta (percussions).

Richoh says Malimba Band is a ministry which was formed to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ hence strictly supporting gospel musicians in the country.

"We believe God engineered this grouping because it comprises different young men who were ministering in different churches through music. I can reflect the purpose of bringing us together just by looking at the work we are currently doing because, to be honest, Malimba is the busiest and most used band in the country," says Richoh.

He praised The Marching Soldiers for the motivation which led to the formation of the band in 2009.

"It was The Marching Soldiers that first put us together to back them during their live performances. And it was their commendation after we had backed them which gave us the drive," says Richoh.

According to Richoh, the band then started working with Thoko Katimba whom he says played a very big role to catapult it to prominence.

Apart from commercial purposes, Richoh described the establishment of Malimba Band as a 'great relief' to gospel musicians who cherish professional live music.

"Most fans complain that the use of CDs during live concerts show amateurism on the part of musicians and lack of seriousness when it is the big musicians doing that. So, Malimba band wants to seal that gap by providing these artists with professional backing services.

"On a large part, we are into this trade in order to make a living, not only for entertainment purposes," says Richoh.

According to Richoh, the band roughly charges K120,000 when travelling to Mzuzu, K70,000 for a show in Lilongwe and K65,000 in Blantyre, which happens to be its base. He boasted of high demand of the group.

"Our group is always tied up with programmes due to high demand. Just last Sunday we were in Lilongwe supporting Allan Chirwa. On April 1 we will be at Robins Park in Blantyre to support Thoko Katimba," said Richoh.

Richoh confesses that Malimba is just a skilled group of young people without own equipment, a development which forces it to hire from other music gurus like Colen Ali.

"Of course, some of us have keyboards and guitars but I cannot lie that we have our own full set of equipment because we are in the process of strategising on how best we can work towards getting it.

"This is the same challenge facing several groups, which prevents most artists from rehearsing together as a band. But we are optimistic that God will bless us one day," says Richoh.