V/A - Welcome To Zamrock! Vol. 2
(Now-Again)

Both volumes now in stock! Much like Krautrock, the term Zamrock does not do justice to the quality of the music being generated by the musicians of said country. Coming out of Zambia in the mid 70s, the bands innovated a hybrid of psych rock, funk and garage that in its crudeness, came to represent the strife the musicians overcame as Zambia struggled to achieve independence from colonial rule. With a country in heavy strife and poverty while their president supported rebels elsewhere, bands such as Witch, Rikki Ililonga, Amanaz, Paul Ngozi and Peace made some great records that hit high marks within rock and funk but also veered towards darker sounds. Thankfully, Now-Again is doing us all a tremendous solid. Welcome To Zamrock! is a 2 volume set that deeply examines the Zambian Rock movement with a slew of tracks and bands that have never been reissued.
The 2nd volume of Welcome To Zamrock! features Zamrock mainstays Witch, Rikki Ililonga, Peace and the Ngozi Family as well as rarities by Born Free, Five Revolutions, Tinkles, Fire Balls and Mike Nyoni. Another one is multi-instrumentalist Keith Mlevhu. By the late 70’s, Mlevhu was a major artist in Zambia. He was awarded “Best Artist” by the Zambian polls in 1977 as well as “Best Bassist” and “Best Vocalist.” He also finished just behind the Ngozi Family for album of the year. Mlevhu was also unique in that he recorded all his own instruments and even launched his own label, Mac Bullet, which was pretty much unheard of in Zambia. This is just one of the many stories you’ll find within the music and rich culture that is Zamrock.
If there was ever a time to invest and explore the rock music of Zambia, this is it. These records and songs have slowly been reissued but only a fraction, and you will simply never see (or be able to afford) any original copies of these records. And even if you secure one, I hope you like surface noise! Therefore, these compilations (and many of the previous album reissues) are a no-brainer and you can always count on Now-Again for excellent sound sourcing, background notes and clean pressings. Yes, you need this. (Dom)
Check out a track here.