Best Albums From Zimbabwe EP 5 : Icons Edition

Had paused this series as I delved more into album reviews but now its time to return. Zim music like every industry has had its fair share of classic albums and it is my personal given duty to share such albums with other fellow Zimbos or anyone who wishes to learn more about Zim music. So to day will be giving you another 5 awesome albums from Zimbabwe, also will not be focusing a single theme but will be mixing it up.

So lets get to it:

1 . John Chibadura & The Tembo Brothers - Dub Versions

Tracklist: Mudiwa Janet, Usandivengere Simba Rangu, Mwari Matinyanya, Zuva Rekufa Kwangu, Varoyi & Ndiwe Wandaivimba Naye.

Bob Marley's independence concert set alive a seed of reggae music among a lot of Zimbos. One such person was John Chibadura. Despite emerging in the golden age of Sungura he managed to become a household name with his reggae influenced sound. When one makes good music, there is no escaping it and who could resist the beauty and mastery of  Mudiwa Janet. This Dub Versions will rock you straight to the soul...beautiful album.

Buy The Album: Dub Versions on iTunes

2. Bhundu Boys - Tsvimbo Remoto (1987)

Tracklist: Tsvimbodzemoto, Padeke, Vakaparei, Kupedza Moto, Wafungeyiko, Simbimbino, Chekudya Chose, Nhai Mukoma, Une Shuwa & Chimanimani The Bundu Boys are regarded as the best band to ever emerge from Zimbabwe. Thy did not only get Zimbabwe dancing but their music was listened to all over Africa and Europe. They were so big that Madonna specifically asked them to open for her in 1987 at the Wembley stadium. Many will know them from the timeless classic Simbimbino. Tsvimbodzemoto was their second album and it definitely a masterpiece, one album you must surely listen to. Buy The Album: Tsvimbodzemoto on Discogs

3. Andy Brown - Passage Of Time (2003)

Tracklist: Shungu, Fiona, Kure Kure, Simuka, Nhasi Takura , Gogedzi, Ndoenda, Tongogara, Spirit, Mapurisa & Mawere Kongonya.

Muzukuru as he was affectionately know is one of the best guitarists to ever come out of Zim, He was involved in a lot of beautiful music in the 90's as part of the Iconic group Illanga. In 2003 the late Andy Brown made his mark on the local music scene with this album. Who did not sing along to the track Mapurisa, who does not know the lyrics and hasn't danced to Mawere Kongonya. This is the album that carved his name in Zim music history.

Buy The Album: Passage Of Time on iTunes

4. Marshall Munhumumwe & The Four Brothers - Greatest Hits 1994-1996

Tracklist: Mativenga, Matinetsa, Mbereko Yakaramba, Kumawere, Chero Uchindida, Rudo Rukave Ruvengo, Tauraya Rudzi Rwedu, Vatendi, Ndivhumbamire & Chawanzwa Usapamhidzire. 

This is definitely one of my favourite Bands of all time, love their chimurenga flavoured sound. It is not only me who loves the band like crazy, with tracks like Mbereko Yakaramba, Chero Uchindida and the mightily exceptionla prayer Ndivhumbamirei, you cannot help but lov the group. The are also to this day one of the most successful band in the history of Zim Music. This album will explain and answer all your questions about Marshall Munhumumwe & The Four Brothers.

In Depth Biography of the Band: Marshall Munhumuwe & The Four Brothers on Pindula
Buy The Album: Greatest Hits on iTunes

5. James Chimombe - Greatest Hits Vol 1

Tracklist: Jemedza, Bindura, Chawana Mumwe, Masutu, Zviwuya Zvirimberi, Zvakaoma, Muchiti Mugere, Siya Wawoneka, Mukwasha, Zvaitika, Munakandafa, Cecilia & Kudakwashe.

Just look at that tracklist and tell  me if this is not an exceptional album. Its hard to create flawless album but this is as close as it gets. James Chimombe is famed for always singing about problems and struggles which is true but he did it so well you won't really care. Just take a listen to the album...pure class.

Buy The Album: Greatest Hits Vol 1 on iTunes

So ya those are the 5 albums for this episode, if you have any albums you wish to be included in this series, feel free to mentions them in the comments section below.

Proud_Zimbo