VA - Viva! Zimbabwe - Dance Music From Zimbabwe (1983)

After over 30 years this album hasn´t lost any of its appeal. It features some of the best Zimbabwean pop stars. Jit or Jiti music is represented by the fast mbira-like guitar sounds of The Four Brothers who became international world music stars. Thomas Mapfumo, the Lion of Zimbabwe, appears with an early 80s political anthem in the style that came to be known as Chimurenga. Sungura guitar melodies are featured with James Chimombe, the "King of Sungura." Bands on the album such as Nyami Nyami Sounds and Super Sounds have members who went on to some of the most popular Zimbabwean bands such as Chazezesa Challengers. One thing I've found is that you simply can't get through this record without getting on your feet and dancing around!

Robert Christgau wrote about this album: "For all the liner talk about electric dance music, what sets this apart is its roots in thumb piano. With that painfully mastered village instrument the melodic source, the guitar figures are the quickest in Africa--contrapuntal at their best, and always hooky. Vocals are likewise unassuming if not delicate, rhythms distinctly light. Takes a while to hear, will never hit you over the head, and you can dance to it. Call it folk-disco. A- "

Tracklist

A1	–Devera Ngwena Jazz Band	Solo Na Mutsai
A2	–Four Brothers, The	Makorokoto
A3	–Thomas Mapfumo and Blacks Unlimited*	Ndamutswa Nengoma
A4	–New Black Montana	Magumede
A5	–Super Sounds	Isalwa Kuchelwa
A6	–Monica Nyami Nyami Sound	Shirley
B1	–Patrick Mukwamba and The Four Brothers	Zvinonaka Zvinodhura
B2	–Devera Ngwena Jazz Band	Zvoku Mayadhi
B3	–Super Sounds	Monica
B4	–James Chimombe and OK Success	Zvingashure
B5	–Patrick Mukwamba and The Four Brothers	Dai Ndiri Shiri
B6	–Elijah Madzikatire and The Brave Sun	Vana Tinogumbura

VA - Viva! Zimbabwe - Dance Music From Zimbabwe (1983)
(320 kbps, cover art included)