Most of you will know that I’m a fan of African music and Zimbabwean music in particular. I’ve been helping the promoter out with the press release and drumming up indie radio interest. Here are some extracts from the press release. From what I’ve seen of the videos the band sound really good . The videos are pretty funny too, How often do you see a band marching around with real kalashnikovs?
When they think of the big names, the stars, most people outside of Zimbabwe, might think of Thomas Mapfumo’s militant Chimurenga music or Oliver Mtukudzi’s southern African fusion “Tuku music “or perhaps the joyful bouncy pop of the Bhundu Boy’s Jit music. But although still putting out great records, Thomas lives in exile and tours erratically, Tuku played some great shows here in Australia only last December, but he is getting on, and, sadly, Biggie Tembo and most of the Bhundu Boys died far too young.
So who will carry the torch for the music of Zimbabwe?
Jah Prayzah could well be that person.
The name is a bit lame and it suggests a reggae style band and certainly there is some of that but make no mistake this is an authentic Zimbabwean sound. Staccato guitar reminiscent of the mbira that is a trade mark of Zimbabwean music, classic southern African horns and a deep rich voice that reminds you of Thomas or Oliver at their best, or even the great Ndebele singer Lovemore Majaivana.
Jah Prayzah and his nine-piece band have had hit after hit in Zimbabwe and now we can see what all the fuss is about because he its touring with his FULL ZIMBABWEAN band.
He has toured Australia before but only those in the know in the local Zimbabwe communities got to hear about it –and they are still talking about the shows. Kitted out in military uniforms his band includes singers and dancers for a classic Zimbabwean revue.
There is plenty of humour in what Jah Prayzah does- check out some of the videos from his website – they look like real AK 47s the band are waving around in one video. And how many artists tell you in their bio that, early on in their career, wealthy patrons would pay the promoter to not have him go onstage because they didn’t like his voice? Clearly those well-heeled patrons were in the minority because he packs out shows regularly in Zimbabwe and tours internationally. And now it is our turn.
Have a look at his website
You can read his bio and watch the videos including live shows in township venues – its real authentic stuff. That is what we are going to get with this tour: real authentic Zimbabwean popular music – not Chimurenga, not Tuku music, not Jit , but most likely the future of Zimbabwean popular music.
Tour dates are as follows:
Melbourne
29 January 2016
@Max Watts. 125 Swanston Street. Vic. 3000
Tickets – www.maxwatts.com.au
www.Oztix.com.au
Perth
30 January 2016
Astor Theatre
659 Beaufort street
Mt Lawley
Tickets- www.astortheatreperth.com
Or 089370177
Thanks for the tip, Junior. Sounds promising. Even those of us in slightly frostier climes can give him a listen as he’s on Spotify.
Slightly off-topic JW but this thread inspired me to check the wiki entry for the Bhundu Boys who appeared on a BBC Scotland show I was involved in the late 80’s. If I remember correctly, which is by no means a given, the show they were on also featured Oliver Reed who was pissed and tried to start a fight with Robbie Coltrane.
Sadly, it seems Biggie, the leader of the band and a decent fellow, had a very tragic end and some of the other members suffered their vicissitudes too. Pity because they seemed destined for big things.
Biggie was troubled by mental illness and hung himself. I think at least 3 of them died of AIDS.
Live at King Tut’s is the record to get.
I’ve not heard that one, nut I have the ‘Shed Sessions’ compilation of their early material which is utterly magnificent.
Nut? But!
Amen. SS is simply the greatest collection of music ever to have existed.
I came for the guitars.
I stayed for the bass.
I fell in love because of the hi-hats.
That night at least they were all in good form, especially afterwards in the BBC club. Having said that, compared to Oliver Reed, everyone was on their best behaviour, OR being utterly determined to punch on with Robbie Coltrane for no discernible reason whatever.
I had two great years teaching there in the late 17th century.
Other top bands who are you-tubeable are Lovemore Majaivana, The Marxist Brothers and John Chibadura and the Tembo Brothers, The Four Brothers and the by way of Zaire, Real Sounds of Africa esp their ” I am a Football fan,” with its eulogy to Norman Whiteside !
A good list @nogbad.
When and where were you teaching? I was a teacher too.
Hi @Junior-wells ,
I was there from 1988 – 1990, in Charandura township nr Mvuma
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Hama+High+School/@-19.8078785,29.6715241,8.71z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x1933335275878e2f:0xea579e74443cb8bf
Saw plenty of the local hot acts – and a few cold ones !
A highlight was Biggie’s wedding do at a racecourse, and a drunken afternoon with one Kershaw, A.
Peter Ndlovu and bro Adam, were the football gods of that time, the Peter was sent to Coventry to become the victim of the commentator’s craft, as well as the agricuturally inclined full back.
Happy times.
( Might be better if we made any further conversation private, as I’m sure this is of no interest to another living soul beyond ourselves……)
Pamberi ne Zimbabwe !
Not at all Nogbad! Stay with us!
It’s fascinating to read about other AWers’ exotic adventures, Australian hardware stores, obscure indie bands etc etc.
Ta !
Who knows – I might even improve my typing / spelling …..