Latest Release
- MAY 24, 2024
- 1 Song
- Introduction and In The Past · 2011
- Introduction and In The Past · 2011
- Introduction and In The Past · 2011
- Friend - Single · 2024
- Introduction and In The Past · 2011
- Introduction and In The Past · 2011
- Introduction and In The Past · 2011
- Introduction and In The Past · 2011
- Zango · 2023
- Lazy Bones!! · 1975
Essential Albums
- Zamrock was born in the '70s in southern Africa. Merging hard rock, psychedelia, and funk, this Zambian genre was influenced by artists as diverse as Black Sabbath, James Brown, and The Rolling Stones. Witch—which stood for We Intend To Cause Havoc—was one of the scene's major bands, and its approach varied over the course of its existence. This album includes its first two self-produced releases, Introduction and In the Past. The opening title track finds vocalist “Jagari” Chanda introducing the band over a churning garage-rock groove decked out with organ riffs; the group turns this standard trope into an exciting track. Check out the funky rock ‘n’ roll drums and rhythm guitar on “That’s What I Want,” a cut that also features a delightfully dirty guitar solo. (The lead playing is a wonder throughout). “No Time” has an itchy guitar riff, nasty lead work, and tense, propulsive bass. A midtempo chug carries “The Only Way,” where Chandar brings some garage-band edge to his vocals. “Mashed Potato,” an appealing mix of low-key James Brown stylings and rock ‘n’ roll, wraps things up.
Albums
Singles & EPs
About WITCH
A pioneering Zambian psychedelic act, Witch (the name is an acronym, standing for We Intend To Cause Havoc) were one of the defining acts of Zamrock, a fusion of Western rock and rhythm & blues with traditional African sounds. They were among Zambia's most popular and influential bands in the 1970s as a wave of psychedelic and hard rock gained an audience in Africa. Witch's 1972 debut Introduction was the first commercial album released by a Zambian band, and they continued to release music until fading into dormancy in the mid-'80s. A reissue campaign launched in 2011 brought the band to a new generation of listeners, and Witch reunited in 2012 and was touring again shortly afterwards. In 2023, they released Zango, their first new album in almost 40 years.
- ORIGIN
- Zambia
- FORMED
- 1971
- GENRE
- Rock