Strut is extremely proud to present a definitive collection of
recordings from one of Tanzania’s most revered but short-lived bands of
the 1970s, Sunburst. Covering their entire output from 1973 to 1976,
this first retrospective features music from their 45 RPM singles “Moto
Moto” and “TFC,” as well as their sole album,
Ave Africa, and an unreleased radio session recorded in Tanzania in 1973.
Sunburst was formed in 1970 by Zairean guitarist Hembi Flory Kongo
who recruited resident drummer Johnny “Rocks” Fernandes, bass player
Bashir Idi Farhan and organist / vocalist Kassim Magati. They were soon
joined by Zambian-born lead singer James Mpungo.
Having developing their sound via
covers-heavy live performances and a string of early singles, Sunburst’s
sole LP came out at a time when Zambia was enjoying a stream of
releases by bands that would now be considered icons of Zamrock such as
Witch, Ngozi Family, Musi-O-Tunya and The Blackfoot. The sleeve text
described the Sunburst sound as “a fusion of the traditional sounds of
Africa with Western Rock, spiced with a piece of the Caribbean” but the
intricacies of the Kitoto Sound that Sunburst had crafted for years
peaked on this recording. Band members born in six different countries
were tapping into a multitude of influences, styles, languages and
stories. “We try to compose songs that have a bearing to the situation
we live in,” James Mpungo recounted at the time. “Our songs are songs
that support freedom struggles, songs that encourage peasants and
workers to work harder, songs in praise of our leaders. We also sing a
lot of songs criticizing our people for allowing themselves to be too
westernized and throwing away their traditional values. And above all,
we preach love and happiness!”
Ave Africa: The Kitoto Sound Of East Africa 1973-1976 is the
result of over three years of research by compilers DJ Thomas Gesthuizen
and Dave Tinning and comes out 24th June on 2xCD, 2xLP (w. CD included)
& digital formats. Stream the track “Simba Anguruma” below.
Pre-orders are
available here and now.
Strut Records
Tracklist
| A1 |
Kitoto Sound |
|
| A2 |
Ukuti Ukuti |
|
| A3 |
Ba Motoka Na Castle |
|
| A4 |
Kamungulwe |
|
| A5 |
Your Day Will Come |
|
| A6 |
Ani Uni |
|
| B1 |
Wakulu Wa Kuno |
|
| B2 |
We Need Each Other |
|
| B3 |
Alhamdullilahi |
|
| B4 |
Ntambwa |
|
| B5 |
How Can I Get To You |
|
| B6 |
Ave Africa |
