Bhundu Boys
Group Biography -- Group Discography -- Compilation Appearances

Biography

Biggie Tembo (vocals, rhythm guitar)
Rise Kagona (lead guitar, vocals)
David Mankaba (bass, vocals)
replaced by Shepherd Munyama (bass)
replaced by Washington Kavhai (bass)
Shakespeare Kangwena (keyboards, vocals)
Kenny Chitsvatsva (drums, vocals)
photo of Rise Kagona © Fred Hines

Probably the best known Zimbabwean guitar band, the Bhundu Boys broke the Harare sound to the UK and Europe in the mid 80s to much acclaim. Mixing Zimbabwean styles with rhumba influences from the Congo, the Bhundus labelled their fast-paced guitar music "jit-jive". The band formed in 1980 under the leadership of lead singer Biggie Tembo who was a "bhundu boy" during Zimbabwe's liberation struggle; an underage runner for rebel soldiers. The Bhundu's eventually reached the top of the Zimbabwe music scene, scoring four number one hits (Baba Munini Francis, Wenhamo Haaneti, Hastisitose, and Ndimboze) between 1981 and 1984. This success brought the attention of DJs from the UK.

Shabini, their first international album, received limited but successful airplay in England. As their sound gained popularity in the UK, they moved to Scotland and toured extensively, garnering praise form many top musicians including Elvis Costello. They even opened for Madonna in front of a 80 000 crowd at Wembley. Ultimate success arrived when the Bhundus inked a record deal with American majors WEA. Unfortunately their downfall began, as the contrived sound of their 1986 album True Jit didn't "jive" with their audeince. More attempts at finding their original success failed, and the Bhundus fell apart when frontman Biggie Tembo left to pursue a solo career in 1990 (he was asked to leave the band). The Boys continued to release albums under the lead of guitarist Rise Kangona, but never lived up to their early success.

Unfortunately tragedy has befallen the band. David Mankaba, the Bhundus bassist, was the first band member to publicly admit to having contracted AIDS. His replacement, Shepherd Munyama, also died of the disease. A third member, drummer Shakespeare Kangwena, also succembed to AIDS. Disaster struck once again when, in 1995, former lead singer Biggie Tembo hanged himself. To this day, Rise Kagona continues to tour with a new-formed group of Bhundus. Despite the fact that they never lived up to their early potential, the Bhundu Boys were a groundbreaking force in the African music industry, as they paved the way for more artists to reach commercial success in Europe and the US.

Afropop Bio
Cooking Vinyl Bio
ZWNews Bio

The tragedy of the Bhundu Boys >> The Standard (Aug 24, 03)

Discography The Shed Sessions Sadza 2001 Muchiyedza Cooking Vinyl 1997 Friends on the Road Cooking Vinyl 1993 Live at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut DiscAfrique (Afrilp007) 1990 Pamberi WEA 1989 True Jit WEA 1988 Tsvimbodzemoto DiscAfrique (Afrilp03) 1987 Shabini DiscAfrique (Afrilp02) 1986 Hupenyu Hwepusi Rugare 1984 Chekdusa Chose Rugare 1983

Compilation Appearances Hits of Zimbabwe Jekesa Sound Offerings Chemedzevana Rough Guide Pombi

Natari lists Chekdusa Chose as being an available LP.

Tsvimbodzemoto

Released: 1987
Label: DiscAfrique - AFRLP03
Format: LP, Cassette, CD
Running Time: 10 tracks.
Stocked by: Natari

The Bhundu's 1987 album which preceeded their first mass European release. It was Tsivbodzemoto which caught the ear of British producers and music fans and led to the Bhundus meteoric rise to fame. The album was later re-issued onto CD in the mid 90s, hoping to attract fans of their original, more Zimbabwean sound.

True Jit

Released: 1988
Label: WEA
Format: LP, Cassette, CD
Running Time: 42 minutes, 11 tracks.
Stocked by: Natari, Stern's, Amazon

The Bhundu's first release on major label WEA. Termed a disaster by traditionalists, the Boys tried to mix a more Western sound with their jit-jive. The result is a so-so album filled with an awkward English lyrics. Happy Birthday is most likely the worst song of their songs. Ever.

Pamberi

Released: 1989
Label: WEA
Format: LP, Cassette, CD
Running Time: 50 minutes, 11 tracks.
Stocked by: Natari

Their second release on WEA, the Bhundu's went back to Zimbabwe to try to recapture the sound which had taken the UK by storm. The album features collaborations with the National Youth Choir and Robson Banda. I own it and while it's definitely better than True Jit, The Shed Sessions still rank supreme.

Live at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut

Released: 1990
Label: DiscAfrique
Format: CD
Running Time: 51 minutes, 8 tracks.
Stocked by: Natari

Great live album recorded in Glasgow after the departure of lead singer Biggie Tembo

Friends on the Road

Released: 1993
Label: Cooking Vinyl
Format: CD
Running Time: 12 tracks.
Stocked by: Amazon

The Bhundu's 1993 album features collaborations with other African and Western artists.

Muchiyedza

Released: 1997
Label: Cooking Vinyl
Format: CD
Running Time: 54 minutes, 10 tracks.
Stocked by: Amazon

The Bhundu's last album, once again under the direction of guitarist Rise Kagona.

The Shed Sessions - 1982-1986

Released: 2001
Label: Sadza
Format: CD
Running Time: 2 Dics, 29 tracks.
Stocked by: Stern's, Natari, Amazon

A compilation of songs recorded at Harare's Shed Studios between 1982 and 1986. Most of these tracks eventually filled Shabini and Tsvimbodzemoto, their first two releases. An excellent album and definitely recommended over True Jit.