Top 5 Tracks : Zig Zag Band

The Zig Zag Band hailed from the Amaveni, the oldest suburb in Kwekwe and consisted; Emmanuel Nkomo, Robert & George Lunga, Madison, Gilbert Zvamaida (who later left to join Thomas Mapfumo's Blacks Unlimited) and Stanley Phiri. They rose to prominence in the 80's, it was their song Gomo Ramasare which endeared them to many Zimbos. They coined their music the term Chigiyo Music and they explained it as follows: Chigiyo music is a reflection of cultural norms and values through song, which they say can actually summon the spiritual realm to the attention of the living.

Was introduced to them through the track Gomo Ramasare which received a lot of airplay on ZTV especially on Ezomgido, in the 90's ZBC was still a respectable and entertaining station. That was the only song I knew from them, well and Mudzimu Mukuru but did not know it was by Zig Zag Band for quite a long time. Fast forward more than 20 years forward I have tasked myself to listen to as many track from the band as possible to find my top 5 track. Did my search, gathered as much tracks from them as I could, got to listening and today will be sharing my top 5 with all of you.  

5. Chaita Mumwe

On this track the band is talking about the issue of drawing motivation from those around you. When you colleague has done well it must motivate you to also do well, you must desire the good from others. The production is also done very well, these guys were very good at this reggae sound.

4. Nyarunde

On this beautiful story they are talking about a guy who has found himself a girlfriend who stayed in Nyarunde. He then asked his friend to accompany him on the journey to see his lady and the path to Nyarunde you had to pass a scary forest so on he road they had a song they would sing to wade away the wild animals. The story goes on but still to fully comprehend the last part so will end here. Love songs with such a structure, they captivate you and keeps you listening till the end. The production is also done very well.

3. Don't Look Back
This is a beautiful reggae jam, love the overall feel of the track. On the track they are saying we are all born with different talents and one should not be greedy and try to do everything but concentrate on your gift and excel in it. They also go to say one should keep on moving forward, don't look back, nurture your talent and keep on moving  This is one of those track where you can listen to over and over again.

2. Gomo Ramsare
This is arguably the most known track from the band. Loved this song when I was still a very young boy in the 90's and it still sounds great many years later. This is a playful track from the band, they are narrating what they used to do when they were kids, herding cattle back in the rural areas. They would herd their cattle around a certain hill titled Masare and whilst the cattle grazed they would enjoy the fruits that are found in that hill whilst reciting a song praising the mountain for the fruits and animals they would see and enjoy from the hill.

1. Mudzimu Mukuru
This is one fantastic jam from the band, the production is done very well. Its a track that talks about greed, those people who sacrifice their children for their own success, now when it all fails they are left to look at other people's children achieve great things.

Stream the tracks below:



So ya those are my top 5 tracks from Zig Zag band. At first I thought this was going to be a bit easier but once I started the listening sessions the task became much harder. Below are some of the honorable mentions:

1. Hombiro
2. Reva Reva
3. Ndiwe Muroyi
4. Makatukura

Feel free to share with your top 5 from the band.

Proud_Zimbo