The album Zango (Desert Daze/Partisan) by Zambian band WITCH has claimed the coveted number one spot in the World Music category on the North American College and Community radio (NACC) charts for the week ending July 11, 2023.
In 1984, Zamrock band WITCH (We Intend to Cause Havoc) released their last album after facing political and economic turmoil in Zambia. The music scene was already suffering, and the AIDS epidemic dealt a final blow. However, in the 2010s, Now Again’s re-releases of WITCH’s music brought Zamrock back into the spotlight. This led to a world tour documented in 2019 and rejuvenated the band’s career.
Their new album, Zango, was created during their decade-long tour and presents a thriving Zamrock scene. The album’s title, meaning “meeting place,” symbolizes the joy of coming together to create something with old and new friends. Dutch musician Jacco Gardner and others joined the band, and Zango marks the first time Emmanuel “Jagari” Chanda and Patrick Mwondela, original WITCH members, appear together on record. Zango goes beyond revivalism, mixing Afro-funk, psychedelia, rocksteady, and acid pop to spotlight Zamrock’s innovation. It also includes guest appearances from new Zambian musicians, honoring the past while looking toward the future.
The album features Emmanuel Jagari Chanda on vocals; Patrick Mwondela on keyboards; Jacco Gardner on bass and synthesizers; Nico Mauskoviç on drums and percussion; JJ Whitefield on guitar; and Stefan Lilov on guitar.
Buy Zango.
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central