Best Album From Zimbabwe Part 7 : Bands & Groups

Welcome to the 7th edition of the Best Albums From Zimbabwe series and on this episode will be concentrating on Bands and Groups. On this series will not be concentrating on backing bands but those groups or bands whereby no one member takes all the attention or where the group is not named after one person. As usual will just mention 5 albums per episode.

1. Mokoomba - Rising Tide (2012)

These guys are the moment unrivaled by any, they are simply in a class of their own. They are taking Afro Fusion to the world in a very big way, representing not only Zimbabwe but the whole of Africa. They are currently the most traveled band in Zimbabwe and the success of this album kick started their worldwide journey. The album contains jams such as Njoka, Nimukonda, Ndundule, Waleyle...just to mentions a few.
Buy the album: Mokoomba Rising Tide

2. Illanga - Silver and Gold

This was Illanga's second studio album, a follow up to their previous well received album Visions Foretold and it  further solidified them as one of the best in the industry. The album contained tracks such as True Love, Siyalonda, Tshisalanga and the title track Silver and Gold.Their music was sort of a beautiful blend of traditional sound and Jazz. 

Buy the album: Illanga - Silver & Gold

3. Mafriq - Chizevezeve/Zari

When one talks about the rise of urban music in Zim it's nearly impossible to avoid talking about Mafriq. This trio pf Pauline Gundiza, Tunga T & Double Trouble knew how to create classics. The album introduced Mafriq to the majority of Zimbos and and contained tracks such as Chizevezeve, Ndokuudza Sei, Musha Wedu, Wandizunguza...just to mention a few.
Buy the album : Mafriq - Chizevezeve/Zari

4. The Four Brothers & Patrick Mukwamba - Wapenga Nayo Bonus

These guys dominated the music scene back in the day and today are regarded as on of the best of not the best bands to ever emerge on the music scene in Zim. They released a number of album but on this episode will be talking about one of their early projects Wapenga Nayo Bonus. The album contains the classics such as Wapenga Nayo Bonus, Vakomana Vemazuva Ano & Ramba Murume.
Stream the album: Four Brothers Wapenga Nayo Bonus

Buy the album: Four Brothers Wapenga Nayo Bonus

5. Rusike Brothers - Rhythms Of Our Hearts

The group were touted as the Zim's version of the Jackson Five, it was comprised of 5 brothers; Tawanda, Collins, Aby, Kelly & Phillip and they pushed the disco scene in Zimbabwe just after independence in 1980. They were one of the first Zim bands to go on an international tour. They only released one album, Rhythms Of Our Hearts which carried the classic jams; Saturday Night &  Cecilia. Getting your hand on the copy of this albums is nearly impossible and I have to look for the track one by one, however you can head to YouTube and get to watch a few of their tracks.

So ya those are the five albums for this episode, hope I have helped you to find a new favourite band you can obsess over.

Feel free to comment with some of the best albums you have listened to from the locals music scene.

Proud_Zimbo