Now-Again Records has been serving the music community greatly by reissuing essential records from the Zamrock scene for the past 15 years. The latest reissue is 1977’s The Ghetto by Paul Ngozi, who, with his Family Band, created some of the most intense and raw golden-era Zamrock ever recorded.
Ngozi was born Paul Dobson Nyriongo in 1949 in Lusaka’s crime-ridden Chiboyla township, growing up as a “rude boy” before taking to music. He died of what many assume was AIDS-related causes in 1989. 1977’s LP The Ghetto is a concept album about the struggles of those living in Africa’s township.
Now-Again’s reissue includes an eight-page booklet about Ngozi, rare photographs, a discography, and annotations. The LP and the whole package were released under license from the Estate of Paul Nyirongo.
For those who aren’t aware, Zambia’s Zamrock movement exploded in the 1970s and provided the country’s young musicians access to European and American music, creating a unique sound. Zamrock, including The Ghetto, melds fuzz-toned psychedelia with chugging garage rock and funk with a mix of African cadences and beats. It was an incredible scene that produced excellent music.
Many classic Zamrock records were released through independent labels based in Zambia. Some of the scene’s legends are still at it, including WITCH, which released a new record last year and is currently touring Europe.
Zamrock fans will surely love the reissue of Ngozi’s The Ghetto, but those unaware of Zamrock’s history should dig it, too. Take a trip back to 1977 Zambia and listen to the classic sounds of a legendary music scene with this LP.
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