J. Kabange (drums)
K. Kalenga (vocals, trumpet)
J. Kavund (vocals)
G. Motombo (vocals)
G. Mumba (vocals, guitar)
M. Mwandwe (vocals, guitar)
S. Illunga (sax)
J. Kumwamba (sax)
S. Llunga (sax)
J. Malosa (bass)
B. Pompom (guitar)
M. Sanga (conga, trumpet)
photo © marc marnie

One of the many Congolese bands to set up shop in 1970's Harare, the Real Sounds settled and became one of Zimbabwe's leading groups. Mixing rhumba and soukous from their native land with the mbira-influenced guitar rhythms unique to Zimbabwe, the Real Sounds achieved critical and popular success both at home and abroad. Riding the Zimbabwean craze created by the Bhundu Boys in the mid-80s, the band toured the UK and released their 1987 album Wende Zako. This European exposure led to a collaboration with Norman Cook, former member of the UK pop band The Housemartins, on his album. Cook produced their 1909 album 7 Miles High.

The Real Sounds are best known for their soccer inspired tracks, including Soccer Fan and their play-by-play song Tornados-Dynamos (3-3). 1994 saw the release of their albums 7 Miles High and Get Real on a single CD for Western consumption. They were once led by Zimbabwean singers James Chimombe and Lovemore Majaivana.

Discography 7 Miles High/Get Real Cherry Red 1994 Get Real Cherry Red 1990 7 Miles High BIG1LP 1989 Wende Zako Cooking Vinyl 1987 Harare ZMC 1984

Compilation Appearances Zimbabwe Frontline One Non-Aligned Movement Rough Guide Tornados vs Dynamos (3-3)

Wende Zako

Released: 1987, 1990
Label: Cooking Vinyl/Rounder
Format: Cassette, CD
Running Time: 6 tracks.
Stocked by: Barnes & Noble, CD Now, Amazon, Natari, eBay (used and new)

The Real Sounds' first Western release features a soukous sound and the "famous" Tornados-Dynamos soccer match.

Get Real/7 Miles High

Released: 1994, 1999
Label: Cherry Red
Format: CD
Running Time: 12 tracks.
Stocked by: CD Now, Natari

Double album on one CD - 7 Miles High (1989) and Get Real (1990) released in 1999. 7 Miles High was produced by Norman Cook of British pop band the Housemartins. Not sure if this CD is still in print as orders at Barnes & Noble and Amazon have come up empty. (Beware, if you do order this CD chances are good that you might be shipped a different CD in its place. Both Barnes & Noble and Amazon sent me Cherry Red's In Goth Daze compilation album. A catalog number mix-up perhaps?)