Analog Africa Records (Germany)

Zig-Zag Band – Chigiyo Music Kings 1987-1998 [IMPORT 2xLP] – New LP

$ 40.00

Vinyl 2LP, 3-color screen-printed gatefold cover w/ download card.

Zig-Zag Band - Trailblazers of Zimbabwe’s Chigiyo Sound

The sole surviving member Gilbert Zvamaida, the legendary guitarist and founding force behind the group. Gilbert always appeared super laid-back, often lounging shirtless on his sofa, sharing stories of his musical journey — tales of traveling across the country, spreading the sound he helped pioneer throughout Zimbabwe.

The band emerged in the early 1980s, a time when Zimbabwe was forging its post-independence identity, and quickly established itself as one of the country’s most distinctive musical voices. Their sound — a vibrant fusion of reggae, traditional rhythms, brass arrangements, and mbira-inspired guitar — helped define what would become known as Chigiyo, a genre named after a traditional dance from the Chimanimani region.

Formed in Kwekwe under the mentorship of Robson Kadenhe and led by guitarist Gilbert Zvamaida, the band crafted a bold, original style. With intricate guitar lines, infectious dance rhythms, and raw, soulful Shona vocals, they pushed beyond genre boundaries. While many contemporaries opted for commercially safer routes, Zig-Zag remained fiercely independent, committed to authenticity and innovation.

Their early years included a notable stint as the backing band for Oliver Mtukudzi, contributing to the legendary Wavona LP. Even then, they were quietly forging a sound of their own. Their breakthrough came in 1987 with “Gomo Ramasare,” a track that not only launched them to national fame but became their enduring signature. Their 1989 debut album Child Survival/Chigamba marked a major milestone, followed by a series of respected releases. Among them was Hombiro — a commercial flop, according to Zvamaida, but still a testament to their artistic risk-taking.

Despite the loss of nearly all original members over the years, Zvamaida — now based in the U.S. and performing with Thomas Mapfumo’s Blacks Unlimited — continues to carry the torch. As the last surviving founding member, he remains a guardian of Chigiyo, keeping its legacy alive for future audiences.

Written by Zimbabwean music specialist Banning Eyre and Designed by the aforementioned Magrão, this compilation housed in a 3-colour screenprinted cover brings Zig-Zag Band’s groundbreaking music back into the spotlight — celebrating their unique contribution to Zimbabwean culture and reintroducing a vibrant, unjustly overlooked discography to a new generation of listeners."

released 2026

Graphic Design: Ricardo "Magrão" Fernandes
Mastering: Michael Graves (Osiris Studio)
Audio Restoration: Jordan McLeod (Osiris Studio)
Liner Notes: Banning Eyre
Text Editing: Jesse Simon

Special Thanks to: Gilbert Zvamaida, Daniel Marire, Julius Ziva and Isaac Phiri

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