Now-Again Records, Zamrock!

I first heard of Now-Again Records through their Zamrock reissues. Don't remember when, exactly, but around 2am, deep down some twisty internet rabbit hole. I'll probably go into the Now-Again, soul, jazz and funk stuff at some stage. For now I wanted to focus on, and show some examples of, their extensive Zamrock catalogue.

For those who don't know, Zamrock is a collective name, allegedly, coined by Zambian DJ Manasseh Phiri, for the psychedelic rock produced by Zambian artists in the 70s and early 80s. If you ask the internet about it, you'll find a bunch of descriptions, most will say something like, "A fusion of Hendrix and James Brown inspired funk-rock and traditional African rhythms." It's both a succinct and reductive description. In other words: good marketing. I won't try to top it, here are a few of my favourites, but seriously, get into it. 

First up, Born Free- Madman. Pure psych-rock, Originally released on the '75 album, Mukaziwa Chingoni, on the Zambia Music Parlour label. This one is from the, Now-Again, Can’t You Hear Me? (70's African Nuggets & Garage Rock From Nigeria, Zambia And Zimbabwe), compilation from 2016.

 

I'm far from an expert, but here's a little history as I understand it.

Northern Rhodesia shed the shackles of British colonialism in 1964 and gained independence as the Republic Of Zambia. This was followed by a period of economic growth, largely due to the country taking back control of it's booming copper mining industry.

Ordinary Zambians suddenly had money to spend and there was a large demand for imported/bootlegged music. Zambian youths began forming cover bands of Western groups like The Jimi Hendrix Experience and The Rolling Stones. The country's appetite for these bands was ravenous and musicians could suddenly make a good living in a thriving live music scene. 

 

Ngozi Family - Hey Babe.  Heavy fuzz from '76, by the mighty Ngozi family. Originally released on the Zambian Music Parlour label, this is the 2014 Now-Again reissue.

The influx of foreign music led to a government mandate for radio stations to play a minimum of 90% Zambian music. There's some speculation that the government intended this to promote traditional Zambian music, and the more traditionally influenced, Kalindula. While there may have been a (possibly not so gentle) push in that direction, it did create fertile ground for Zamrock to flourish, with local artists writing their own songs, rather than sticking to covers. Intended or not, a musical revolution followed the one political in Zambia.

 

Blackfoot - Running. Catchy rock from '75. Originally released on the Youth Power album on Goodson Records. This is from the Now-Again Records, Welcome To Zamrock Vol. 1, compilation from 2017.

The AIDS epidemic decimated the scene in the early 80s, with a large number of the general population contracting the disease. For obvious lifestyle reasons, travel, rock n roll, etc, the percentages of musicians in the Zamrock scene that contracted AIDS was far greater. Almost all died.

 

Amanaz - Sunday Morning. Every great psych-rock band has at least one 'come-down' track. This sun-drenched gem is AMANAZ's, from the 'Africa' album, originally released in '75 on the Zambia Music Parlour label. This is the Now-Again, 2020, 2LP, reissue.

AMANAZ is an acronym for: Ask me About Nice Artistes in Zambia

Amanaz - Khala My Friend.

I'll add more background and videos as I get around to recording them. I could make hundreds of these Zamrock videos and the quality wouldn't drop. Haven't even mentioned WITCH or Rikki Illilonga, yet.