The July Curated Issue 2025 - WITCH - 'Zango'

Zambian legends WITCH (We Intend To Cause Havoc) delivered a triumphant return to form with 'Zango', their first studio album in nearly four decades. Emerging from the ashes of Zamrock’s golden era, this release was both a continuation and a transformation, bringing together Afro-psychedelia, funk, rock, and modern sounds like hip-hop. Recorded in the original DB Studios in Lusaka, 'Zango' marks a remarkable milestone in African rock history, pushing the boundaries of Zamrock while respecting its rebellious spirit. This wasn't just a comeback, but a cultural statement.

Formed in the early 1970s in Kitwe, Zambia, WITCH were among the first and most influential bands in the Zamrock movement—a genre that uniquely blended psychedelic rock, garage, funk, blues, and traditional African rhythms. The acronym WITCH stands for “We Intend To Cause Havoc,” and that intention echoed across Zambia’s copperbelt region through high-energy performances, fuzz-drenched guitars, and messages of youth rebellion.

Led by charismatic frontman Emmanuel “Jagari” Chanda, the band was heavily influenced by Western rock icons like The Rolling Stones, Deep Purple, The Hollies, and Jimi Hendrix. But rather than mimic, they synthesised these sounds with Zambian languages (Bemba, Nyanja), African percussion, and community-driven lyrical themes.

WITCH’s early albums, such as 'Introduction' (1972), 'Lazy Bones!!' (1975), and 'Lukombo Vibes' (1976) are now considered cult classics. However, political instability, government-imposed curfews, and economic downturn in late 1970s Zambia made live music increasingly difficult. By the early 1980s, Zamrock fell into obscurity, and WITCH disbanded. Jagari left music and became a school teacher and later a gemstone miner.

Fast forward to the 2010s, a global resurgence of interest in obscure African records brought WITCH back into the limelight. Thanks to reissues from labels like Now-Again Records and the acclaimed documentary 'We Intend To Cause Havoc' (2019), Jagari was back on stage, now backed by a younger generation of musicians, ready to cause havoc once again.

1. By The Time You Realize

An exhilarating opening track that reestablishes WITCH’s signature psychedelic rock groove. With a blend of Chewa lyrics and English refrains, the song kicks in with distorted guitars, rolling bass, and a pulsing rhythm section. It nods to the past while asserting WITCH’s current vitality.

2. Waile

This track stands out for its Afrobeat energy and hypnotic call-and-response vocals. Featuring layered percussion and funky rhythm guitar, it’s both joyous and rooted in African storytelling tradition. The chant of "Waile!" creates an anthemic, almost trance-inducing atmosphere.

3. Nshingilile (feat. Keith Kabwe)

A deeply spiritual and emotive track sung entirely in Chewa. Featuring Keith Kabwe of Zamrock peers Amanaz, this is a powerful example of intergenerational collaboration. The layered vocals and atmospheric keyboards feel like a dreamlike invocation.

4. Streets of Lusaka

A nostalgic reggae-tinged ode to Zambia’s capital city. With warm tones and laid-back grooves, the song paints an affectionate portrait of Lusaka's past and present. The lyrics reflect themes of resilience, love, and homecoming.

5. Unimvwesha Shuga

This disco-funk hybrid pulses with confidence. WITCH channel the dancefloor spirit of the late '70s with sharp guitar lines, syncopated rhythms, and soulful female backing vocals. A track made to move both body and soul.

6. Avalanche of Love (feat. Sampa the Great)

A stunning centrepiece featuring acclaimed Zambian-Australian rapper Sampa the Great. Her verses bring modern edge and global relevance, while the band wraps it in cosmic funk, blazing basslines, and Afro-futurist energy. It's a bold fusion of old and new.

7. Malango

A slower-burning psychedelic groove, "Malango" features long instrumental passages with layered drums, experimental guitar, and hypnotic rhythms. The song invites introspection and showcases WITCH’s musicianship.

8. Stop The Rot

This garage-rock anthem blasts out of the speakers with distorted power chords and raw energy. Lyrically defiant, it addresses political dysfunction and social decay. A call to action disguised as a groove-heavy rocker.

9. These Eyes of Mine

A reflective and haunting track that harks back to ballads from their earlier catalogue. The fusion of Bemba lyrics with floating guitar lines and harmonies creates a serene, introspective mood—a moment of vulnerability.

10. Message From WITCH

The final track is both an emotional and ideological statement. With a message against discrimination and for global unity, Jagari's closing words—“erase homophobia, end antisemitism, stop tribalism”—resonate powerfully. Musically, it combines spoken word with soaring instrumentation, ending the album on a note of hope and purpose.

'Zango' was met with widespread acclaim. Pitchfork called it "a genre-defying album" full of "Afrofunk, psych-rock, and political fire." Mojo magazine hailed its energy and commitment to innovation, while The Times praised its ability to blend past glory with present urgency.

More than just a comeback, 'Zango' serves as a living archive of African music history and a launching pad for its future. WITCH are once again setting the pace, inviting a new global audience to discover Zamrock. With the inclusion of modern artists and cross-generational musicianship, the album becomes both an education and a celebration.

'Zango'—meaning "meeting place" in Nyanja—is more than an album title. It's a philosophy. A gathering of generations, cultures, and voices united under a common rhythm. Jagari Chanda and the new WITCH lineup have not only revived Zamrock—they've redefined it.

The album reflects a vibrant musical conversation between past and present, from the psychedelic sounds of 1970s Zambia to the diasporic fusion of contemporary Africa. It reminds listeners that African rock didn’t vanish—it evolved, waited, and returned stronger.

For longtime fans, 'Zango' is a welcome return to form. For newcomers, it's a gateway into the electrifying world of Zamrock. Either way, WITCH's message is loud, clear, and full of heart: they still intend to cause havoc, and we should all be grateful they do.

Chengetai

Runout Record Club