Zamrock: The Best 1970s Zambian Psychedelic Rock Tracks

Zamrock is characterized by blending the polyrhythms of African drumming with the orchestrated chaos of rock music — from psychedelic rock to blues, garage, funk and more. With several iconic bands and even greater songs, it’s a movement that has etched its name on the scrolls of musical history.

It’s little surprise that American superstar Tyler, The Creator, who’s leaning more into his Nigerian roots, sampled “Nizaka Panga Ngozi,” the record from iconic Zamrock band Ngozi Family, on his latest single “NOID.” With this light shone anew on Zamrock, we highlight ten songs that encapsulate what the movement is all about.

Rikki Illilonga & Musi-O-Tunya – “Dark Sunrise”

Often heralded as the godfather of Zamrock, Rikki Illilonga’s mastery shines through on this record. His voice relays a distance and danger that is sweetly enmeshed in the stuffed atmosphere of the music, with its fluctuating drums and rhythms. Even though the songwriting infers the swirl of romance, the delivery across the board makes it so much more, gleeful and gloomy all at once, and reflects James Brown in the insistent throb of its funk. It’s sheer compositional brilliance.

WITCH – “Strange Dream”

When Zamrock fans talk about its notable bands, WITCH always comes up. An acronym for “We Intend To Cause Havoc,” the band, fronted by Jagari Chanda, delivered on that ethos, creating music whose beauty was often devastating. “Strange Dream” is no different from their many classics: beautifully arranged with fuzzy guitars and a poetic stream-of-consciousness style, it is, as the title suggests, a dreamy song whose technical dexterity is rooted in human effort.

Peace – “Black Power”

Sharing the same parent group as members of WITCH, the expertise on Peace is quite seasoned. They’re often mentioned as one of the best Zamrock bands — and for good reason. On “Black Power,” the unique distortion of their funk is audible, fashioning a pace that advances the sociopolitical concerns of the record. In tune with the revolutionary stance taken by conscious-minded bands of the era, it’s a song that throws open the curtain on an entire generation and their concerns.

Amanaz – “Africa”

The 1975 album this song appears on is one of the cornerstones of Zamrock. As one hears on this record, the five-piece band Amanaz was quite unconcerned about what its contemporaries were doing, subverting the funk sound as it took a more subdued, even if woozy tone. “Africa” sounds a bit like a dirge and a warning. Lurking underneath the impeccable composition is the singers’ tone — haunting, resisting, calling up the name of tradition as an antidote to those who’d obscure history.

Ngozi Family – “Nizaka Panga Ngozi”

This one is the record sampled by Tyler, The Creator recently, and is perhaps the most groovy song on this list. “Nizaka Panga Ngozi” is an anthemic number that’s characterized by its sparse instrumentation. The guitar style takes a lot of cues from Jimi Hendrix, who was a major influence on many Zamrock bands. Now, a lot of listeners will parse its elements through the Tyler sample but “Nizaka Panga Ngozi” is an iconic record on its own. It courts its own legend through its unforgettable melody, refreshing drum patterns and pure soul.

Chrissy Zebby Tembo – “Trouble Maker”

Chrissy Zebby Tembo was the drummer of the Ngozi Family, a role that allowed him unfettered access into the creative ebbs of Zamrock. He eventually took the solo route and released his debut album, My Ancestors, in 1976. Perhaps the album’s biggest song is “Trouble Maker,” a low-tuned number that takes after the movement’s penchant for the devastating. Tembo hones into the flaws of the titular character, his voice — the most stirring element of the composition — sounding pained and invested.

Salty Dog – “See The Storm”

Although they were not very popular during their active years, Salty Dog is an important Zamrock band. The three-person collective was formed around the ideological concept of ‘the force of life.’ “See The Storm” embodies that perspective: like many great bands of the movement, it’s a song that recognizes the gray areas of life, those periods when things aren’t working as they should. Still, they subvert the storm’s importance, and by taking an epic dimension to their performance, demonstrate that the determined character will pass through any weather.

Blackfoot – “When I Needed You”

There’s a quaint progression carried in this record. Its early parts have the earnest cheerfulness of a church proceeding, but as soon as the voice enters, the direction tilts the opposite way. Love, and its associative concerns, become the focus of the record as the lead singer pines about the unavailable status of the affection he seeks. However, he takes it on the chin, telling the recipient that, “If you want my loving you can have it,” and shortly after, singing the recurring lyric, “It’s alright.” A romantic song that carries aspirational heft, it’s a testament to the impeccable songwriting of Zamrock acts.

Keith Mlevhu – “Ubungtungwa”

Often referred to as a ‘one man band,’ Keith Mlevhu was a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist who played, produced, designed and marketed his music by himself. He was popular during his time, releasing albums and songs that spoke directly to the concerns of his Zambian people, often singing in the Bemba language. “Ubuntungwa” is a stirring standout from his catalog, an earnest record whose positive message is furthered by the relaxed funk of its production.

Teddy Chisi – “Funky Lady”

An accountant by profession, Teddy Chisi was often backed by bands like Peace and the Fireballs. However “Funky Lady” was created when he’d engineered greater control over his sound, and that’s quite apparent in its ideation and execution. The titular record showcases the funk influence in a stirring way, as Chisi sings energetically about a woman he’s enthralled by. Love, after all, is another thematic cornerstone of Zamrock and this is undoubtedly one of the strongest submissions made under its banner.