''Zimbabwe'' is an album by

afro-rock Afro rock is a Rock music, rock music genre that fuses Western rock instrumentation with traditional African musical elements, which emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Influences Afro rock draws heavily from traditional African music styl ...

band Assagai. Their second and final release, it was recorded at Nova Sound Studios in London for Vertigo Records, but was instead issued by Philips Records in 1971. The album features saxophonists Dudu Pukwana, Bizo Mngqikana, and Fred Fredericks, trumpeter Mongezi Feza, vocalist Martha Mdenge, drummer Louis Moholo, percussionists

Terri Quaye Terri Quaye, also Theresa (born 8 November 1940, Bodmin, England), Val Wilmer"Quaye, Terri (born 1940), singer, pianist, percussionist" Grove Music Online - ''The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz'', 2nd edition. Published in print January 2002. Pu ...

and Smiley De Jonnes, and members of the progressive rock group Jade Warrior, who also contributed three compositions. Cover art was provided by Roger Dean, best known for his work with bands such as Yes,

Asia Asia ( , ) is the largest continent in the world by both land area and population. It covers an area of more than 44 million square kilometres, about 30% of Earth's total land area and 8% of Earth's total surface area. The continent, which ...

, and Uriah Heep. In 1975, the album was reissued by the Music for Pleasure label with the title ''Afrorock''.

Reception

In a review for

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

, Richie Unterberger called the album "a very interesting fusion of funk, rock, and African influences that's quite forward-looking for the early '70s, with just a bit of psychedelia thrown in," and wrote: "When they're playing in a relatively straightforward Afro-funk vein, they're pretty hot, mixing grinding, groovy riffs with some African beats, wailing melancholy horns, and obviously James Brown-influenced rhythm guitar... ''Zimbabwes an interesting, energizing record whose innovations and creativity are worthy of more recognition." Rob Fitzpatrick of ''

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...

'' stated: "what's most remarkable is what utterly great players they are... 'Barazinbar' and 'Kinzambi' are both super-heavyweight funk, 'Sanga' is flute-led, astral Afro-jazz, 'Dalani' is a straight-up dance floor groover with a prickly piano and rolling horns, while 'La La' is a proto-ambient sunset classic just waiting to be rediscovered." ''Exposé Onlines Peter Thelen commented: "The ethnic flavors presented throughout this album are powerful and the balance between rock, jazz variations, and African elements work nicely to keep things interesting all the way through. A solid recommendation."

Track listing

# "Barazinbar" (Glyn Havard) – 6:03 # "Wanga" (Martha Mdenge) – 2:56 # "La La" (Martha Mdenge) – 4:29 # "Dalani" (Dudu Pukwana) – 4:39 # "Bayeza" (Martha Mdenge) – 3:21 # "Sanga" (Jon Field) – 4:23 # "Come Along" (Martha Mdenge) – 4:23 # "Kinzambi" (Tony Duhig) – 5:45

Personnel

* Dudu Pukwana – alto saxophone, piano * Bizo Mngqikana – tenor saxophone * Fred Fredericks – tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone * Mongezi Feza – trumpet * Martha Mdenge – vocals * Louis Moholo – drums *

– congas * Smiley De Jonnes – congas, percussion * Jade Warrior – backing band

References

{{Reflist 1971 albums Philips Records albums Albums with cover art by Roger Dean (artist)