Flavian Nyathi and the Blues Revolution: Ropa Re Zimbabwe

By popular request Electricjive reposts this Zimbabwean classic from 1980 - originally from the Matsuli blog:
"The first two Zimbabwean LPs I heard and subsequently taped from a friend (as you did back in those days of the TDK C90) were Thomas Mapfumo's Gwindingwe Rine Shumba and Flavian Nyathi's Ropa Re Zimbabwe. Thomas Mapfumo you should know along with other Zimbabweans such as Oliver Mtunkudzi. But how many of you have heard of Flavian Nyathi? No background information, just a classic LP full of revolutionary sentiment for better times. Have a listen and let me know if you agree on its status. If you look carefully you can see a Josh & Kathy's Soundland sticker, the Harare record bar frequented by many looking for exciting Zimbabwean pop." (Matt Temple)

Flavian Nyathi and the Blues Revolution - Ropa Re Zimbabwe (Gallo Records, Disc. KK 13, 1980)
Takawira
Mwana Takamushaya
Ve Soweto
Ndikakunga Maivangu
VaMugabe
Ropa ReZimbabwe
Pfumo Demo
Baba Namai
Vakasara
Hakuna Nyika Isna Rinda 

ENJOY VIA MEDIAFIRE

The Bhundu Boys (1983)

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere the sun isn't shining too bright and so to remedy this situation the wonderful hopeful sounds of the Bhundu Boys from their debut LP from 1983. Personally I was in the UK to witness them riding a wave of popularity in so many pubs and clubs (I even worked as a roadie carrying their sound system at a gig in Fulham back in 1986). They were picked up by the label Diskafrique and later Warner and even supported Madonna at Wembley Stadium. But the story of what happened to the band is somewhat sad and reported in an interview with founding member Rise Kagona in the Guardian back in 2006.

But if its the music you want then sit back and enjoy some sunshine sounds.

The Bhundu Boys (Rugare 1000, 1983)
A1 CHEKUDYA CHOSE
A2 HUPENYU HWANGU
A3 PACHEDU
A4 ZVICHATINETSA
B1 KUROJA CHETE
B2 NHAI MUKOMA
B3 KUMBIRAYI
B4 UNE SHUWA HERE

Download: Mediafire

Thomas Mapfumo on 45 - More Chimurenga Hits!

Thomas Mapfumo in the mid seventies with the Acid band

Much has been written about Thomas Mapfumo and his role in the evolution of indigenous Zimbabwean popular music. The web has a multitude of resources which can be easily accessed. Today electricjive follows up its earlier post from over two years ago with more of his early material that was mostly released on seven inch 45rpm format.

The highly recommended album releases by Thomas Mapfumo from this period include: Hokoyo!, Gwindingwe Rine Shumba, Ndangariro and Mabasa. Seek them out!

Tracklisting (in rough chronological order from circa 1977-1985)
01. Yarira Nerha (Jukebox Whitelabel) as "Thomas Mapfumo"
02. Imhere (AS 1040), as "The Blacks Unlimited"
03. Pamuromo Chete (AS 1050), with the Acid Band
04. Dindingwe (AS1058), with the Pied Pipers
05. Zvandiviringa (AS1088), as "Thomas Mapfumo"
06. Nyathi (AS1104), with the Blacks Unlimited
07. Shumba (AS1109), with the Blacks Unlimited
08. Rita (AS1110), with the Blacks Unlimited
09. Pidigori (AS1114), with the Blacks Unlimited
10. Paridzai (AS1115) with the Blacks Unlimited
11. Haruna (AS1118) with the Blacks Unlimited
12. Nhamo Yapera (AS1119) with the Blacks Unlimited
13. Nyamutavagu Nemombe (AS 1125) with the Blacks Unlimited
14. Ngoma XXXX(AS1126) with the Blacks Unlimited

Streaming link:

Thomas Mapfumo on 45: Early Chimurenga Singles by ... on Mixcloud

Download link: Mediafire

Enjoy !

Hokoyo! (Watch Out!) - Harare Hits Rewound

Due to overwhelming reader demand the Harare Hits compilations are back. Like mbaqanga the electric urban sounds of Zimbabwe between the late seventies and mid-eighties hold a special place in many people's hearts. As I've stated before these were different times with a sense of optimism midst daily struggles and a nation still drunk with liberty. It's blistering dancefloor pop in any language that still speaks today. Enjoy this time capsule from the past that keeps us from forgetting what can be possible. These were compiled by Matsuli reader Muvimi who spent time teaching in Zimbabwe in the early part of the 80s.

Harare Hit Parade 1: 1980-81
01. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits- Africa
02. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits – Cheka Hukama
03. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits – Madzongo Nyedze
04. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits – Seiko
05. Elijah Madzikatire and Ocean City Band – Very Sorry
06. Elijah Madzikatire and Ocean City Band – Gukura Hundi
07. Devera Ngwena Jazz Band – Zhimozhzhi
08. Devera Ngwena Jazz Band – Barba Mwana Wakanaka
09. Devera Ngwena Jazz Band – Ruva Remoyo Wangu
10. Job Mashanda and the Muddy face – Zuva Rakabuda
11. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits – Shanje
12. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits – Reura
13. Zexie Manatsa and the Green Arrows – Chivaraidze
14. Zexie Manatsa and the Green Arrows – Tambayi Makachenjera
RS/MF


Harare Hit Parade 2: 1981-84
01. Lovemore Majaivana and Jobs Combination – Okwabanye
02. Lovemore Majaivana and Jobs Combination – Isitmela
03. Lovemore Majaivana and Jobs Combination – Amanda
04. Africa Melody – Africa Yakanaka
05. Africa Melody – Emma Rega Kuchema
06. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits – Kumhunga
07. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits – Tinomuchema
08. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits – Yeukai
09. Marxist Brothers – Mwana We Dangwe
10. Safirio Madzikatire and Sea Cottage Sisters – Katarina
11. Zexie Manatsa and the Green Arrows – Tiyi Hobvu
12. Pied Pipers – Amayo
13. Patrick Mkwamba and the Four Brothers – Vakakunda Zviedzo
14. Patrick Mkwamba and the Four Brothers – Wapenga Nayo Bonus
15. Sungura Boys - Mandi
RF/MF


Harare Hit Parade 3: 1985-86
01. Jobs Combination – Imali
02. Jobs Combination – Mary
03. Jobs Combination – Ekhaya
04. Jobs Combination – Isimanga Sendoda
05. Jobs Combination – Usathane Simehlule
06. Fallen Heroes – Uthando Lwemali
07. Robson Banda and the New Black Eagles – Huya Tshande
08. Kassongo Band – Panyadzonya
09. Marxist Brothers – Sekuyo Ndipeiwo Zano
10. Marxist Brothers – Mari
11. Marxist Brothers – Kunjere Kunjere
12. Oliver Mtukudzi a and the Black Spirits – Chenjera
13. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits – Mhaka
14. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits – Munamato Yedu
RF/MF


Harare Hit Parade 4: 1985-1987
01. Robson Banda and the New Black Eagles - Maria
02. Robson Banda and the New Black Eagles -Emmah
03. Jairos Jiri Band - Chando Chinouraya
04. Jairos Jiri Band - Mai Murambatsvina
05. Jairos Jiri Band - Ndezvedu
06. Jairos Jiri Band - Sarah
07. Jairos Jiri Band - Zvemumba Medu
08. Oliver Mtukudzi - Gona
09. Oliver Mtukudzi - Jeri
10. Ilanga - Somandhla
RS/MF