This collection of hits from the early days of Zambia’s most important roots pop band is decidedly low fidelity, but it offers a rich education on the country’s cultural diversity.  Amayenge has been huge on the Zambian music scene for nearly two and a half decades.  Launched in southern Zambia by the tireless musical visionary Kris Chali (who died in 2003), the group started out in 1978 as New Crossbones.  They became part of the kalindula wave of roots bands, though in fact, kalindula is just one ethnic rhythm.  Amayenge was dedicated to exploring a broad range of Zambian roots music using urban style and electric guitars.  Here, ten songs in ten different languages span the cranking, Tonga roots rap of “Mao (2x2),” the mournful Lamba vocals and phase-shifted guitar of “Chibuyu Buyu,” “Ichalo Bapata” with its Bisa percussion and vocal breakdown, and rowdy, rumba infused animation in Lozi on “Munise Munise.” 

Contributed by: Banning Eyre for www.afropop.org