The Bhundu Boys were a
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe (), officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the south-west, Zambia to the north, and ...
an
band
Band or BAND may refer to:
Places
*Bánd, a village in Hungary
*Band, Iran, a village in Urmia County, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran
* Band, Mureș, a commune in Romania
*Band-e Majid Khan, a village in Bukan County, West Azerbaijan Province, I ...
that played a mixture of
chimurenga music with American
rock and roll
Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, or rock 'n roll) is a genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It originated from African-American music such as jazz, rhythm a ...
,
disco,
country
A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, while ...
, and
pop influences. Their style became known as
jit
Jit (also known as jiti, jit-jive and the Harare beat) is a style of popular Zimbabwean dance music. It features a swift rhythm played on drums and accompanied by a guitar. Jit evolved out many diverse influences, including domestic chimurenga, ...
, and is quite popular across Africa, with some international success, and has influenced later groups like Nehoreka and Mokoomba. British world music DJ
Andy Kershaw
Andrew J. G. Kershaw (born 9 November 1959) is a broadcaster and disc jockey, predominantly on radio, and known for his interest in world music.
Kershaw's shows feature a mix of country, blues, reggae, folk music, African music, spoken word ...
said that at the height of their magical powers they were "...the single most natural, effortless, catchy pop band I've ever heard";
the BBC's
John Peel famously broke down in tears the first time, when he saw the band perform live.
The name came from bhundu (meaning "bush" or "jungle"), in reference to the young boys who used to aid the nationalist guerrilla fighters in the
1970s war against the white minority government of what was then
Rhodesia.
Lead singer Biggie Tembo (Biggie Rodwell Tembo Marasha) was a Bhundu boy.
History
Beginnings
The Bhundu Boys recorded their first 7" vinyl single (Une Shuwa Here) at
Shed Studios Shed Studios was responsible for the production of hundreds of band recordings and a large body of music used for various advertisements and films in Rhodesia, and later in Zimbabwe, from 1975 until 2000. The company "Shed Recording Studios (Pvt) ...
in Harare in August 1982, as part of the Studio's drive to sponsor more local music. They were one of a number of more adventurous bands that had not been contracted by the two
record label
A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it. Sometimes, a record label is also a publishing company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the produ ...
s. Shed Studios was owned by Steve Roskilly and Martin Norris with engineering by Roskilly, Norris and house drummer, Bothwell Nyamhondera. They signed a formal 3 year recording contract with the studio in February 1983. A single was released on Shed Studio's own Rugare Label almost every month, so as to build up a momentum and strong following. Between 1982 and 1986,
The Bhundu Boys thus reached the top of the Zimbabwean music scene, with four number one hits ("Baba Munini Francis", "Wenhamo Haaneti", "Hatisitose", and "Tsvimbodzemoto").
Success in the UK
They attracted the attention of Owen Elias and his colleague, musician
Champion Doug Veitch, who released an EP by the band in the UK under licence from Shed Studios in 1985. This attracted the attention of DJ's
John Peel and
Andy Kershaw
Andrew J. G. Kershaw (born 9 November 1959) is a broadcaster and disc jockey, predominantly on radio, and known for his interest in world music.
Kershaw's shows feature a mix of country, blues, reggae, folk music, African music, spoken word ...
who promoted the band on
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is an operational business division and service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a royal charter since 1927). The service provides national radio stations covering ...
. In September 1985 the Studio gave notice to extend the contract for a further 3 years and the band continued to record. Given the attention of Peel and Kershaw, under further licence from Shed Studios, their first UK album, ''Shabhini'', was released on the Discafrique label in 1986. This was a compilation of music already released in Zimbabwe.
The band travelled to UK in 1986 for a live tour organised by Elias, and Scottish graphic artist Gordon Muir became their manager. After touring the UK for a year, basing themselves initially in Hawick, Scotland with Muir and travelling relentlessly, the band appeared to be on the brink of a major commercial breakthrough.
They were feted by
Eric Clapton and
Elvis Costello and
Madonna asked them to be her support act at
Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium (branded as Wembley Stadium connected by EE for sponsorship reasons) is a football stadium in Wembley, London. It opened in 2007 on the site of the original Wembley Stadium, which was demolished from 2002 to 2003. The stadium ...
in 1987.
In October 1986, just as the band's second UK album ''Tsvimbodzemoto'' was about to be released in UK, on the Discafrique label by Elias, they met with Roskilly and requested that their Shed Studios contract be terminated early as manager Muir wanted to sign them to
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Records Inc. (formerly Warner Bros. Records Inc.) is an American record label. A subsidiary of the Warner Music Group, it is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. It was founded on March 19, 1958, as the recorded music division of the ...
. This was a monumental blow to the Studios and to Roskilly their erstwhile producer, in particular. It was however agreed that the contract would be nullified in return for all rights associated with existing Shed recordings, being assigned to Shed Studios in perpetuity. In practice, Shed Studios continued to pay writer's publishing royalties. Controversially, much of their £80,000 advance from WEA was spent buying a house in Kensal Rise, West London that as of 2006 was still a source of dispute.
The band played in North America, Australia and Hong Kong. But the first WEA album ''
True Jit'', produced by
Robin Millar
Robin John Christian Millar, CBE (born 18 December 1951) is an English record producer, musician and businessman, known variously as 'The Original Smooth Operator', 'The man behind Sade', and 'Golden Ears' Boy George. He was born in London to ...
, was considered too far a jump in style from their original Shed Studios' recordings (produced by Steve Roskilly) and was unfavourably received.
Downfall and breakup
The band began a long period of further live appearances, releasing other independent CDs, but started to fall apart. They were dropped from WEA after the commercial failure of their second album on the label.
Leader Biggie Tembo achieved some celebrity on TV and in the press, which irritated the rest of the band, especially guitarist Rise Kagona, and Tembo was asked to leave the band in 1990 following an altercation at Harare airport. The band continued but without the writing and vocal talents of Tembo, the band never again produced the same reception by the music press or by the public.
Three members died of complications from
AIDS: David Mankaba (d. 1991), his replacement Shepherd Munyama (d. 1992) and Shakespear Kangwena (d. 1993).
Tembo tried a comeback by collaborating with a Bristol band, Startled Insects, without success. Returning to Zimbabwe in the early 1990s, he tried to self-produce some more music at Shed Studios including two albums (''Baba of Jit'' and ''Out of Africa''), neither of which were properly released or published. Tembo became ill with depression, became a practising Christian, eventually hanging himself in a psychiatric hospital in 1995, where he had been sectioned for violent outbursts.
Meanwhile, the band soldiered on, recording two more albums. Muir left their management in difficult circumstances as the band's income dried up. In 1996 he sold the band's house in Mortimer Road, Kensal Rise, as part of winding up the band's assets, with surviving band members reporting they received almost nothing from the deal; they suspect that Muir had actually used the band's money to buy it in the first place, using their Warner advance without permission.
Muir has countered that there were no profits to divide up.
The band finally called it quits in 2000 after bassist Washington Kavhai was jailed in the UK on an aggravated assault conviction.
In 2001, Shed Studios issued a
compilation album of all the Bhundu Boys recordings made in Zimbabwe, entitled ''The Shed Sessions'', for release in UK on a double CD, under licence to Gordon Muir.
Current whereabouts
Guitarist Rise Kagona is divorced and currently lives in Scotland. He has written a short account of the band's history.
He plays in Rise Kagona and the Jit Jive Band, who frequently perform in northern England and Scotland. He co-wrote and sang on "She Told You So" on Ben Avison's 2013 ''Good Day Mr. Magpie'' album. He has also played with Doug Veitch, recording an album, ''Tanzwa Nekutambura'', in 2007.
Kuda Matimba lived in London as of 2007, playing with Harare, a group he started in 2005 together with Kenny Chitsvatsva. He had lost contact with Rise Kagona.
Moyo Tembo, son of Biggie Tembo, formed a group called The Chinhoyi Superstars, who released their debut single "Woiteyiko".
Biggie Tembo Jr., a second son of Biggie Tembo, has followed in his father's footsteps and released his debut album, ''Rwendo'', in 2010. He was convicted of assault against a woman in 2015.
Discography
Shed Studios release in Zimbabwe - Engineered Bothwell Nyamhondera
*''Une Shuwa Here'' (Rugare, 1982)
*''Kuroja Chete'' (Rugare, 1983)
Shed Studios release in Zimbabwe - Produced and engineered Stephen Roskilly
*''Kumbirayi'' (Rugare, 1983)
*''Zvichatinetsa'' (Rugare, 1983)
*''Pachedu'' (Rugare, 1983)
*''Chekudya Chose'' (Rugare, 1983)
*''Nhai Mukoma'' (Rugare, 1983)
*''Hupenyu Hwangu'' (Rugare, 1983)
*''Faka Puresha'' (Rugare, 1984)
*''Wakandiparadzisa Musha'' (Rugare 1984)
*''Shabhini'' (Rugare 1984)
*''Ziva Kwawakabva'' (Rugare 1984)
*''Ndipo Mari Yangu'' (Rugare 1984)
*''Wakasikitei Satani'' (Rugare 1984)
*''Dai Ndakaziva'' (Rugare, 1984)
*''Wehamo Haaneti'' (Rugare, 1984)
*''Zvandinetsa'' (Rugare, 1984)
*''Pendeke'' (Rugare 1984)
*''Hatisitose'' (Rugare 1984)
*''Vakaparei'' (Rugare, 1984)
*''Baba Munini Francis'' (Rugare, 1984)
*''Wafungeyiko'' (Rugare 1984)
*''Tsvimbodzemoto'' (Rugare 1985)
*''Manhenga'' (Rugare 1985)
*''Simbimbino'' (Rugare 1985)
*''Kupedza Muto'' (Rugare 1985)
*''Chimanimani'' (Rugare 1985)
*''Zvandinetsa'' (Rugare 1986)
*''Muchihwa'' (Rugare 1986)
Discafrique release in UK under licence from Shed Studios
*''Shabini'' (DiscAfrique, Afril02, 1986)
*''Tsvimbodzemoto'' (DiscAfrique, Afrilp03, 1987)
Warner Brothers release i UK
*''
True Jit'' (WEA 242203-2, 1987)
*''Pamberi'' (WEA, 1989)
Independent releases in UK
*''Live at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut'' (DiscAfrique, Afrilp007, 1990)
*''Friends on the Road'' (Cooking Vinyl, 1993) Featuring:
Latin Quarter
The Latin Quarter of Paris (french: Quartier latin, ) is an area in the 5th and the 6th arrondissements of Paris. It is situated on the left bank of the Seine, around the Sorbonne.
Known for its student life, lively atmosphere, and bistro ...
and
Hank Wangford
Samuel Hutt, known by the stage name Hank Wangford (born 15 November 1940), is an English country and western songwriter.
"Hank is a good smoke screen. He can do things I can't do. He's my clown," says Dr. Hutt, who has been struggling to bal ...
*''Muchiyedza'' (Cooking Vinyl 1997)
Gordon Muir release in UK under licence from Shed Studios
*''The Shed Sessions'' (Sadza, 2001)
Contributing artist
*''
The Rough Guide to the Music of Zimbabwe
''The Rough Guide to the Music of Zimbabwe'' is a world music compilation album originally released in 1996. Part of the World Music Network Rough Guides series, it focuses on the music of Zimbabwe, both traditional and modern. The release was c ...
'' (
World Music Network
World Music Network is a UK-based record label specializing in world music.
The World Music Network website features news, reviews, live music listings, and guide sections on world music. It also features an online "Battle of the Bands" competit ...
, 1996)
Personnel
*Kenny Chitsvatsva -
drums, backing vocals
*David Mankaba -
bass guitar
The bass guitar, electric bass or simply bass (), is the lowest-pitched member of the string family. It is a plucked string instrument similar in appearance and construction to an electric or an acoustic guitar, but with a longer neck and ...
, backing vocals
*Rise Kagona -
guitar
The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected strin ...
, backing vocals
*Biggie Tembo - guitar, lead vocals
*Shakespear ("Shakie") Kangwena -
keyboard
Keyboard may refer to:
Text input
* Keyboard, part of a typewriter
* Computer keyboard
** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping
** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware
Music
* Musi ...
, backing vocals
*Shepherd Munyama, bass guitar, replaced David Mankaba
*Washington Kavhai, bass guitar, vocals, replaced Shepherd
*Kuda Matimba, keyboard, vocals, replaced Shakie
References
External links
Bhundu Boys RecordingsBiographyHararemusicCulture Clash Myspace page(Kagona & Veitch)
bhunduboyRead Rise Kagona's own story about The Bhundu Boys.
Shabini - The Bhundu Boys Tribute Fanzine
{{Authority control
Zimbabwean musical groups
English people of Zimbabwean descent
Island Records artists