James Chimombe
Group Biography -- Group Discography -- Compilation Appearances

Biography

B: 1951
D: 1990

band members include:
Elliot Bokosha, David Domingo, Durum Kalanga, Micholas Maliko, Edson Mbaisa, David Moyo, Solex Simango, Moses Sithole, and Potato Sosve

Both a vocalist and a guitarist, James Chimombe's career included stints with OK Success, the Acid Band, the Ocean City Band and the Huchi Band. It is with these groups that James garnered his reputation as one of Zimbabwe's best vocalists and guitarists. Helping meld Kenyan, South African, and Congolese influences into Zimbabwean music, Chimombe's work would have a lasting effect on his nation's music scene. James also worked in American Country & Western sounds into his music, combining them with African horns and light, lilting guitar lines.

Chimombe got his start as a rhythm guitarist with Thomas Mapfumo's Acid Band. As the Acid Band disbanded and the Blacks Unlimited formed, James was recruited by OK Success. As one of Zimbabwe's first resident Congolese bands, OK Success recruited top Zimbabwean musicians and produced a string of hits in the 1960s and 1970s. During the 1980s Chimombe moved on, this time as a band leader. Until his death, Chimombe led the Huchi Band, as well as the Ocean City Band during the 1980s, producing hits which would immortalize himself as a Zimbabwean musical pioneer. James is best known for his hits such as Jemedza, Mhindoro Iripo, and Sarudzai. Chimombe also spent some time with the Real Sounds of Africa. James, like many of his musical compatriots, died of AIDS in 1990.

Discography (limited) Greatest Hits: Volume One Gramma 2000 Greatest Hits ZimBob 1995 Jamedza ZMC 1990 Munakandafa ZMC 1987 Ma Vanga ZMC

Compilation Appearances Zimbabwe Hits One BP George Mudiwa Hits of Zimbabwe Muchiti Mugere Viva Zimbabwe

Natari lists Munakandafa as an available LP.

Best of...

Released: 1995
Label: Zimbob - Zim6
Format: CD
Running Time: 71 minutes, 13 tracks.
Stocked by: Dandemutande, Amazon, Stern's, Zimsounds

A collection of Chimombe's greatest hits has been released by ZimBob as part of their Legends of Zimbabwe series. It's a sloid album and definitely has a different sound than many other Zim releases. Chimombe has a softer, more lilting sound than other artists. His varied musical influences are quite evident. Personal favourites include Mukwasha, Muchiti Mugere, Jemedza, and Cecilia. (Mukwasha reminds me of Lovemore Majaivana, though my experience with Lovemore is extremely limited.) I ordered my copy through Zimbob itself. I've twice ordered through the company with only good results.

Greatest Hits: Volume One

Released: 200
Label: ZMC
Format: CD
Running Time: 8 tracks.
Stocked by: Dandemutande