Analog Africa just released a new compilation "Roots Rocking Zimbabwe: The Modern Sound of Harare Townships 1975-1980". Despite it being the latest Analog Africa release, it actually represents AA's founder Samy Ben Redjeb's first forays into record hunting in Africa. He travelled to Zimbabwe in 1996, long before Analog Africa was an idea, to hunt for records. His first trip was not very successful, but he did see Oliver Mtukudzi perform live and was able to meet him. On a return trip a few years later, he hit the jackpot and returned home with crates of rare vinyl singles. Fast forward 25 years, Samy Ben Redjeb spent a year going through his vinyl, looking to raise funds by selling duplicates. This reacquainted him with many of these fantastic finds, and this new compilation was born.
The 25 tracks on this compilation document a crucial part of modern musical history for Zimbabwe. During the late 70's, Zimbabwe was still the white-minority ruled Rhodesia, and the war for Black majority rule was heating up. American and British Rock music had been the dominant influences for young Black musicians, and covers sung in English were common. However, by 1975, many musicians, led by Thomas Mapfumo, were turning to influences from traditional Shona music, and singing new songs in Shona. Many of the songs were pointedly political and supporting the struggle for liberation, but, being sung in Shona and using metaphors, they sometimes escaped official censure, although Mapfumo and many other musicians were arrested and imprisoned at times without charges. But music can't be stopped! Even if they were not permitted to be played on the Rhodesian airwaves, they were broadcast from neighbouring Zambia and Mozambique into Rhodesia.
This compilation is fantastic, and while trying to decide which songs to play, I thought the hell with it, let's hear it all! Maybe not all, but we will hear a large chunk of it, interspersed with other, old and newer Zimbabwean music, and starting off with Thomas Mapfumo and his early group the Acid Band.
| Chiko Chinotinetsa Thomas Mapfumo & The Acid Band - Roots Rocking Zimbabwe: The Modern Sound of Harare Townships 1975-1980 - Analog Africa 
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| Amai A Kwatu New Tutenkhamen - Roots Rocking Zimbabwe: The Modern Sound of Harare Townships 1975-1980 - Analog Africa
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| Soweto Mujibha Gypsy Caravan - Roots Rocking Zimbabwe: The Modern Sound of Harare Townships 1975-1980 - Analog Africa
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| Soul Scene Echoes Limited - Roots Rocking Zimbabwe: The Modern Sound of Harare Townships 1975-1980 - Analog Africa
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| Anoshereketa Oliver & The Black Spirits - Roots Rocking Zimbabwe: The Modern Sound of Harare Townships 1975-1980 - Analog Africa
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| Neiwe unonyanya Simon Mafiru Sitole - Other Musics from Zimbabwe - 1948 '49 '51 '57 '58 '63 Southern Rhodesia - SWP Records |
| Here mwana-we Simon Mafiru Sitole - Other Musics from Zimbabwe - 1948 '49 '51 '57 '58 '63 Southern Rhodesia - SWP Records |
| Handina mwana Pineas Hungwe - Other Musics from Zimbabwe - 1948 '49 '51 '57 '58 '63 Southern Rhodesia - SWP Records |
| You can hear the direct connection between this traditional Shona music, both the singing and the mbira playing, recorded in 1951 and Thomas Mapfumo's Chimurenga style he invented in the mid 70's (this song was performed by a 13 year old boy!) |
| Chirombo woye nditerere Mugadzikwa Mwanagona - Other Musics from Zimbabwe - 1948 '49 '51 '57 '58 '63 Southern Rhodesia - SWP Records |
| Shumba Thomas Mapfumo - Lion Songs - Lion Songs |
| Nyaya Dzinonetsa The Storm - Roots Rocking Zimbabwe: The Modern Sound of Harare Townships 1975-1980 - Analog Africa
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| Hangaiwa Blacks Unlimited - Roots Rocking Zimbabwe: The Modern Sound of Harare Townships 1975-1980 - Analog Africa
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| The Towering Inferno The Green Arrows - Roots Rocking Zimbabwe: The Modern Sound of Harare Townships 1975-1980 - Analog Africa
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| Busis'abazali Black Umfolosi - Washabalal'Umhlaba - ARC |
| Mudande Ephat Mujuru & The Spirit of the People - Mbavaira - Awesome Tapes From Africa |
| Rongadondo Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits - Sarawoga - Tuku Music |
| Manowera Superstar was led by singer Tineyi Chikupo, apparently, according to all the musicians that Samy Ben Redjeb spoke to, was the most enigmatic character in the 70's. Music producer Tymon Mabaleka said "Chikupo was very distant. He would come into the studio, do his recording, sing very emotionally, talk to no one, and disappear." He dressed in traditional clothing, and as a son of a traditional spirit medium, would channel this energy into his shows. He was extremely popular, but he vanished from public view in the 80's and died in 1992. Only one track is featured on this compilation, but it is one of the best. I hope Analog Africa will dedicate an album to this incredible singer! |
| Nyamutamba Naziwere Mawonera Superstar - Roots Rocking Zimbabwe: The Modern Sound of Harare Townships 1975-1980 - Analog Africa
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| Maddoh Badakhshan Ensemble - Music of Central Asia vol. 5 Song and Dance from the Pamir Mountains - Smithsonian Folkways |
| The Ladom Ensemble, based in Toronto, is comprised of Pouya Hamidi, piano; Adam Campbell, percussion; Michael Bridge, accordion, and Beth Silver, cello. Their new album is a fusion of Western classical, Klezmer, and Persian music. |
| Gegna Taksim Ladom Ensemble - Sofreh Tisch - Lulaworld Records 
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| Firn di Mekhutonim Aheym Ladom Ensemble - Sofreh Tisch - Lulaworld Records
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| The Dead Man John Zorn/JACK Quartet - The Complete String Quartets - Tzadik Records
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| Saqi Ik Jaam Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali - At the Feet of the Beloved - Realworld
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This will be legendary, David !!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing !!
2:04 PM, May 15th, 2025