PENNY Mtya, who has been in the music industry for more than 20 years, has a solo album out

Mtya, who sang in many groups and has backed many musicians, has released an African gospel jazz album, Ithemba Lam.

Mtya, 49, says when she came to Joburg in the 1980s to pursue her singing career things were difficult.

"When I came to Jozi from Eastern Cape I became frustrated when things did not go my way. I returned home to rethink my career," Mtya says.

But she never lost hope of having her own album.

Mtya says the album speaks to both young and old and offers a message of hope, love and peace.

"In the album I say that people should put their trust in the Lord."

She worked on the album with her sister Phinda, a wellknown Afro-jazz singer.

Mtya says she added an element of jazz to her music because that is the background she comes from.

Mtya, a member of the Universal Gospel Choir, has recorded a jazz album with Musa Manzini and Tebogo Mloto and has also worked with Muntu Semenya.