An amazing set that documents the early years of the Zamrock scene – the funk and psych informed Afro Rock pioneered by vocalist and African guitar legend Rikki Ililonga and his group Musi-O-Tunya in Zambia from 1973 to 1976 – and compiled beautifully in this great set from Now Again/Stones Throw! It's incredible stuff that blends fuzzed out guitar psychedelia, raw rhythms and brass-heavy funky soul. Ililonga's legacy is represented strongly on the record made by the group he founded, Musi-O-Tunya – who work with electric guitar, bass, sax, western and African drums and percussion – as well as the Zambia album, credited to Rikki Illilonga, in which he sings and plays all instruments except trumpet. The set also includes his Sunshine Love album, in which he sings and plays all instruments except bass and drums – and a it's got a rawer, bluesier psych soul approach overall. The CD version compiles most tracks from those albums plus Musi-O-Tunya's Wings Of Africa LP and bonus tracks from 7-inches from the time. 31 tracks on 2 CDs and comes a great, book-bound package with extensive liner notes by Eothen Alapatt and an interview of Ililonga by Eothen. Disc one includes Musi-0-Tunya tracks "Tsegulani", "Mpondolo", "Walk And Fight", "The Sun", "Dark Sunrise", "The Wings Of Africa", "Jekete Yamankowa" (Parts 1 & 2), "Mpulula", "Smoke" and more. Disc 2 features tracks from the Rikki Ililonga cuts "Sansa Kuwa", "Sheebeen Queen", "Stop Dreaming Mr D", "The Nature Of Man", "The Queen Blues", "Working On The Wrong Thing", "Sunshine Love", "Angel Black" and more. CD

Searing sounds from 70s Zambia – from one of the hippest, funkiest, most sharp-edged groups on the scene! This sweet little set may well be the best album ever from Musi O Tunya – a perfect fusion of funky roots with lots of Afro Soul touches, and a wicked approach to the guitar that fills the record with these fuzzy, frenetic solo passages! Vocals are often in an ensemble mode, and work really well with the dubby undercurrents in the rhythms – creating a head-nodding groove that's somewhere in the territory of Cymande, but which really takes off in a new direction once the guitar steps up to the plate – that perfect fusion of psych, rock, and funk that marks some of the best Zamrock work of the time. Titles include "My Baby", "When I'm Gone", "Katonga", "Give Love To Your Children", "Ayeaye", and "Mwana Osauka". CD features a book-style cover, with a huge booklet of notes and photos – plus bonus tracks "Musi O Tunya" and "Thunder Man". CD