NEW BLACK MONTANA - Vol. 1 (1987)

Teal, TEL2162

Producer: Tymon Mabaleka

Engineers: D. Scobie

Composers: P. Tembo & C. Mashoko

Recorded at: Shed Studios, Zimbabwe

Debut album from underrated Zimbabwean sungura act who later had hits with 'Night Shift' and 'Jekanyika'. Producer Tymon Mabaleka, nicknamed "The White Horse", was a top soccer play in the 70s before becoming one of Zimbabwe's most revered producers (working with acts like Oliver Mtukudzi, Lovemore Majaivana, Ilanga and John Chibadura) and later record label executives. He passed away in June 2014.

ROZALLA - Spirit of Africa (1989)

Tusk/Serengeti, WIH7047

Producers: Out of the Hat Productions, D. Morton & Trick Productions

Probably the most successful African singer in international dance music, Rozalla Miller was born in 1964 in Ndola, Zambia and began singing professionally as a child at special events and on kids' TV. At 18 she moved to Zimbabwe, where after fronting various R&B cover bands she launched her solo career, scoring numerous radio hits, including 'Party Time' in 1984. In 1988 she moved to London in search of international success. In 1989 she released Spirit of Africa, an album of slick R&B-pop (with minimal African influence except on the title track and 'King') that would soon be overshadowed. A few months later, working with Chris Sergeant of Unit Dance Records and the Band of Gypsies production duo, Rozalla landed club hits in 1990 with 'Born To Luv Ya' and in 1991 with 'Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)', a hit so massive it earned her the dubious title 'Queen of Rave' in the burgeoning electronic mainstream.

Following the success of her debut album Everybody's Free, in 1992 she opened for Michael Jackson on the European leg of his Dangerous tour. She continued to release lesser hits throughout the 90s and beyond, moving between dance music and R&B/soul. Her other albums include Look No Further (1995), Coming Home (1998) and Brand New Version (2009). 'Everybody's Free' enjoyed new life with remixes charting in the UK in 1996 and Australia in 2009. In 2010 she performed in Harare alongside the Rusike Brothers for the first time in many years. In 2014 she released two new singles, 'Can You Feel The Love' with David Anthony and 'If You Say It Again', which entered the Billboard Dance charts in the US. In 2015 she released 'Shaking Through the Night', a collaboration with Farhaan 'Kazz' Khan (of UK-based, Malawi-born, Zim-raised brothers Bkay n Kazz), produced by German producer Peter Schanz. During her 30-year career she has also enjoyed chart success in Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, France, Austria and New Zealand.

EPHRAIM JOE AND SUNGURA BOYS - Pamusha Pano (1992)

Zim/Tusk, SUH1077

Producer: Bothwell Nyamhondera

Engineer: Willis Mbirimi

Recorded at: Shed Studios

Joe was a pioneering figure in Zimbabwe's music scene during the 1980s, spearheading the Sungura genre that ruled the airwaves, closely alongside the Chimurenga of Thomas Mapfumo and the Jit of the Bhundu Boys. He also helped to launch the career of stars like John Chibadura, System Tazvida and others. This Tusk release showcases Zimbabwean grooves at their hypnotic, inspiring best.

CALTON SOUNDS - Monica (1991)

Zim/Tusk, SUH1070   
Producer: Bothwell Nyamhondera   
Engineer: Peter Muparutsa       
Recorded at: Mosi Oa Tunya Studios

Talented but little-known act from Zimbabwe produced by Bothwell Nyamhondera, the man behind bigger names like The Bhundu Boys and Oliver Mtukudzi, and engineered by Peter Muparutsa, former frontman of the popular RUNN Family. Picked up by BBC DJ John Peel who played a few songs on his shows in early 1992.

THE BHUNDU BOYS - Hupenyu Hwepasi (1984)

Black Talent/Shed, BTMR004

Early album from Zimbabwean jit-jive kings. Notes feature detailed biographies of Rise Kagona (guitar, vocals), Biggie Tembo (guitar, vocals), Shakie Kangwena (keys) and Kenny Chitsvatsva (drums) and the history of the band. "The group was formed in 1980 as a backing band for Son Takura a visiting singer, but when the tours were over, there was sufficient demand for the group that they stayed together and started recording...





"Bhundu Boys enjoy a lot of popularity, and when their own personalities are explored, it is easy to see why. The individual members are a conglomerate of varying characters, ranging from the quiet to the outrageous..."

 

VA - MANGERENGERE (1985)

CCP / Miza / W.O.W MIZL (K) 2018

4-track Shona compilation EP, taking its name from the track by Super Sounds, also featuring Zexie Manatsa & the Green Arrows ("Muti Usina Zita"), the Outsiders ("Grace"), and David Ziome & the Vumba Jazz Band ("Marian").

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BHUNDU BOYS - True Jit (1987)

WEA/warner (Ger) WX129
Producer: Robin Millar
Engineer: Norman 'crocodile' Mighell
Recorded and mixed at Power Plant Studios, London

Although not well known in SA, the Bhundu Boys were Zim's biggest band back in the day and made a huge impact abroard, particularly after relocating to the UK. Liner notes pay thanks to, among others, John Peel, as well as to Robert Mugabe "and the others who restored sanity to our country". Those were the days...

Unfortunately things ended badly for the Bhundu Boys. Read about their tragic demise in Robert Chalmers' article "Bhundu Boys: Lost Boys".

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