Ilanga
Biography -- Discography

Biography

band members have included...
Comrade Chinx (B: Dick Chingaira Makoni; vocals)
Andy Brown (guitar, vocals)
Busi Ncube (vocals, percussion)
Don Gumbo (bass)
Keith Farquharson (keyboards)
Gibson Batishta (drums)
Adam Chisvo (percussion)
Munya Brown, Gibson Nyomi, and Virgillio Ignacia

Ilanga formed in 1986, fronted by singer Comrade Chinx and and guitarist Andy Brown, formerly of the band Rusike. Although only together for three years, Ilanga left an an impact on the Zimbabwean scene. Mixing Shona and Ndebele rythms with Western and Zimbabwean sounds proved a hit. Ilanga produced two albums, with their crowning moment being their participation in the 1988 Human Rights Concert in Harare which featured such superstars as Tracy Chapman, Bruce Springsteen, Peter Gabriel, Youssou N'Dour, and the Bhundu Boys. Hit songs included True Love and Shosholoza.

Eventually, cracks formed under conflict between guitarist Don Gumbo and lead singer Andy Brown. When Andy Brown left to form his own band in 1989, the Storm, Ilanga continued playing with Busi Ncube as their main vocalist. The 1989 release Women of Africa: Busi Ncube was recorded with Ilanga backing her up. However, the band has since disbanded. Andy Brown and the Storm have found success at home and abroad, while former bassist Keith Farquharson went on to be musical director of the acclaimed Zimbabwean film Everyone's Child. Chinx pursued a multitude of career options. Shortly after leaving Ilanga he pursued a solo career. He has also acted in films (1996's Flame), as well as writing the score for the 1989 South African documentary Limpopo Line. Backed by the Police Band, he has recently performed and recorded songs for the Zimbabwean government, becoming part of the Mugabe propaganda campaign along with former bandmate Andy Brown.

Plans were announced to re-form the group, without Gumbo and Farquharson, in November 2003.

The sun set too soon on Ilanga >> Standard (Sept 28)
Ilanga set to regroup >> Standard (Nov 23)

Discography (limited)

Women of Africa: Busi Ncube	CSLP5003	1989
United We Fall
Ilanga Road
Silver and Gold	ILGLP1	1988
Visions Foretold	ILGLP2	1987

Silver and Gold

Released: 1988
Label: ZMC - ILGLP5
Format: LP
Running Time: 6 tracks.
Stocked by:

I can't say I'm nuts about this album. I find the sound to be oversynthesized and quite poppy. It's not bad, True Love, Zimbabwe, and Dancing are pretty catchy. But as a guitar-centric fan, I'm not overly impressed. That being said, I'm probably biased, and considering Ilanga were a big hit in the late 80s, give it a shot, I might be being too picky.