Best Albums From Zimbabwe Part 6: Past and Present

Its been long since I released a new episode of the Best Albums from Zimbabwe. The wait is over now and for those who want to enjoy the best of what Zim has to offer musically this is the perfect series for that. Today will be giving you another 5 albums from various genres that showcase the best Zimbabwe has to offer musically.

1. Bhundu Boys - Shabini (1987)

Tracklist: Baba Munini Francis, Hupenyu Hwangu, Pachedu, Zvichatinetsa, Kuroja Chete, Hatisi Tose, Manhenga, Shabini, Dai Ndakaziva, Wenhamo Haaneti, Faka Purezha & Ziva Kwawakabva.

This was the album that made the Bhundu Boys, released in 1988 the album was a massive success. With tracks such as Baba Munini Francis, Hatisi Tose,  Kuroja Chete & Hupenyu Hwangu this album was a favourite of many Zimbos and it's still a cherished and loved album to this day. The Bhundu Boys according to many Zimbos are the best band to ever emerge from Zim and this album will give you a glimpse of why.

Buy The Album: Bhundu Boys - Shabini

2.  Janet Manyowa - King Of Glory (2015)

Tracklist: Psalms 24: The Intro (feat Pastor E), King Of Glory, Overcome, Tarisa, Ndomira Pamuri, I Trust You (Reprise), Ufanelwe, Amazing God (feat Comfort Manyame), Kune Muponesi (feat Minister Michael Mahendere), Muripo & Amazing God (Saxophone Version).

There are very few artists that can enter the scene and dominate a genre the way Janet Manyowa did with her debut album King Of Glory. She dominated the gospel charts for weeks, with tracks such as Amazing God, Tarisa, Ndomira Pamuri & Kune Muponesi. The album earned her three major awards namely, Best Female Artist, Video Of  The Year and Album of The Year. King Of Glory is a powerful, well made, well written, well sung worship album. Despite Janet having less than 3 year in the industry there are already a number of artists trying to imitate her sound and style, that just shows how good the album is. 

Buy the album: King Of Glory

3.  Jonah Sithole & The Horizon Band - Sabhuku (1996)

Tracklist: Sabhuku, Chakafukidza Dzimba, Manga Chena, Erenia, Uchazvirega & Baba WaBiggie.

Jonah is the guy who developed the Chimurenga/Mbira guitar and is responsible for the Zim sound we love to today. Legends like Dr Thomas Mapfumo, Dr Oliver Mtukudzi, Marshall Munhumumwe...etc all used the mbira guitar in their music. To many its a sound we are used to hence we never really bother to ask where it came from, it all started with Jonah Moyo on this Album. This is one album that has shaped the way Zim Music is now created. Sabhuku is a collectors album, it's hard to come buy someone who owns a hard copy of this album and if you by any chance find one I doubt he will entertain the idea of selling it. Its a well made and revolutionary album.

Buy the album: Jonah Sithole Sabhuku


4. Minister Michael Mahendere - Getting Personal With God 2 (2014)

Tracklist: Higher Life, Mweya Mutsvene, Kudai Mwari, Hallelujah, Ndimuda Jesu, Zvichanaka, Mumoyo, I'm In Love, Jesus, Glory Belongs To You, Prophecy & My Declaration. 

The Mahendere name was slowly getting forgotten due to their long absence from the music industry and when this album dropped that all changed and once again the Mahendere name is associated with Gospel royalty. Minister Michael Mahendere, the youngest among the brothers has rescued the family name and at the same time proven that he is even more talented than his older brothers. The track Mumoyo became like the national anthem, it was being sung all over of the nation, in various churches, gathering, kombis, cars, it was and even to this day still a much loved track. Equally good are track such as Zvichanaka, Higher Life which are all still very much loved and still get a lot of airplay in cars and family gatherings. This album has stood the test of time and that is one sign of a project well made. 

Buy the album : Getting Personal With God 2

5. Various Artists - Chamhembe Vol 1 (2004)

Tracklist: Inspector Fakasimbi (Skit Intro), Paul - Hold Me, Leonard Mapfumo - Iwe (feat Discord), Courtroom (Skit), Rocqui - Aiiyaho, Kevie - Zvachose, Half Time With Carlos the Entertainer (skit), Mafriq - Ndichakuudza Sei, Double Trouble - Chamhembe, Roadblock (skit), Tererai - Waenda, Archy - Swedera Padhuze (feat ExQ & Wreckless), Tatenda - My Love, Talking Music With Hansie (skit) and ExQ - Mazirudo, Chamhembe (Instrumental).

This album proved to everyone that the Urban Grooves Movement was going to be a successful movement. It made even the naysayers acknowledge the talent among the young urban artists. The album contains some classics which even 14 years from the release date are still widely loved and respected, tracks such as Ndichakuudza Sei by Mafriq, Zvachose by Kevie, Aiiyaho by Roki, Mazirudo by ExQ & Waenda by Tererai are absolute classics which will get masses singing along word to word. If you want to understand where Zim Urban music became how it is today, this is a vital album in understanding that rise.

Buy the album: Chamhembe Vol 1

So ya these are the 5 albums for this episode. If you have any other albums you feel deserve to be on this list feel free to comment with the name of the album, artist(s) and why you feel it deserves to be mentioned.

Proud_Zimbo