Analog Africa are one of the few labels that have the dedication and skill to lovingly put together their exemplary album releases. It’s not just the effort that goes into curating the music for each release but also the extensive research for sleeve notes and booklets that often accompany them. Roots Rocking Zimbabwe is a shining example of this; compiled by label boss Samy Ben Redjeb a consummate create digger and former flight attendant who flew to Zimbabwe at every opportunity up until 2005 when authoritarian rule made visiting difficult. He has been putting together compilations for Analog Africa for around 20 years now.
Roots Rocking Zimbabwe is the result of Ben Redjeb rediscovering his vinyl finds from 20 years ago and sublimating thousands of records into 25 tracks across a double album that show the influence of western music on Zimbabwean bands. The album comes with comprehensive notes sourced from Fred Zindi’s book Roots Rocking in Zimbabwe which gave the compilation its name. Zindi says, “You might be surprised to know that the DJs at the helm of the Rhodesia Broadcasting Corporation’s African Service musical programmes were all African radio personalities who could not resist the music of Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix. But the domination of Anglo-Saxon music in our wavelengths was such that one would be forgiven for thinking that they didn’t have any African music in their collection. The impact of rock music associated with these groups was felt everywhere in Rhodesia, and the Woodstock festival played a significant role in shaping the direction of music in the country as it influenced the creation of rock music contests that were held in various cities around the country.”
Scrappy and vibrant, the songs often have the loose feel of being recorded live just as much as they contain the thrill of being alive; a refreshing change from the glut of homogeneous overproduced born out of people using the same digital production methods. There is joy in every track, and it feels like you have stumbled across an amazing musical festival, walking from stage to stage drinking in a glorious fusion of western and African styles.
“The 25 songs presented in this project showcase the birth of the modern music industry in Zimbabwe and the explosion of creativity bands of the 1970s and 80s delivered is endlessly rewarding. It was a time of wild experimentation before established genres had crystallised. Rock, rumba, soul and traditional grooves all collide beautifully in this collection, which also includes never-before-released tracks by Thomas Mapfumo, Oliver Mtukudzi and many other Zimbabwean artists.”
Sparkling highlife runs and funk riffs, solid four on the four and syncopated drums, plus a fine selection of cracking tunes make this compilation a delight to listen to from start to finish. You can skate along on the music alone or immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the Zimbabwean music scene. Few labels put this much effort into their releases but the love Analog Africa have for the music they release shines brightly enough for us all to bask in its warmth.
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Review by Paul F Cook
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