Zig-Zag Band were trailblazers of Zimbabwe’s Chigiyo sound, a genre rooted in Shona tradition and shaped by post-independence cultural identity. Formed in Kwekwe in the early 1980s under the mentorship of Robson Kadenhe, the group was led by guitarist Gilbert Zvamaida, whose mbira-inspired guitar lines and brass arrangements defined their bold, hybrid style. Chigiyo drew on reggae’s pulse but transformed it with local rhythms, soulful vocals, and a uniquely Zimbabwean sensibility.
Early on, the band worked as backing musicians for Oliver Mtukudzi, but it was 1987’s ‘Gomo Ramasare’ that brought them national fame. Their debut album Child Survival/Chigamba (1989) cemented their reputation, while later releases such as Mudzimu Mukuru offered spiritually charged anthems that became standards across the nation. Revered for their innovation and independence, Zig-Zag stood apart from more commercially driven contemporaries, carving out a sound both distinct and deeply rooted.
This compilation, written by Zimbabwean music specialist Banning Eyre and designed by São Paulo DJ Magrão, celebrates the legacy of Zig-Zag Band. As the last surviving member, Zvamaida — now performing with Thomas Mapfumo’s Blacks Unlimited — continues to carry the Chigiyo torch for future generations.
Pickup available at Dreamhouse Records London
Usually ready in 24 hours
