Shalawambe - Kambowa / Bana Fimbusa - Zambian Single (Luvale/Bemba, 1986)

Please comment, like & subscribe. Tap the bell to be notified of new uploads. This lively two song single comes from the great Shalawambe Band on the Kariba label. It was released in 1986 and features songs in Luvale and Bemba. This record is just plain fun. Highly danceable, it has the unmistakable energy that makes Shalawambe such a fun band to listen to. Of special note is Bana Fimbusa, which appears to be a cover of the title song of Kieth Mlevhu's similarly named 1976 album. Shalawambe Band formed in 1985 following the split of the Zamrock and Kalindula Band, The Green Labels. The Green Labels were a band sponsored by a branch of the Zambian military known as the Zambian National Service (ZNS). ZNS provided vocational and military training to secondary school graduates with the option to continue in the military following graduation. As a result, Green Label members were either receiving training or actively working for the ZNS. Zambian music historian, Leonard Koloko, speculates that the split was a result of some members not wishing to continue with the ZNS. Leading Shalawambe was Emmanuel Dolenzy Kabwe. He was joined by his brothers, Julius Chanda and Claude Kabwe and a cousin, Ricky Chota. A fifth member, Gerald Bwalanda rounded out the group. The band was highly successful in Zambia, releasing numerous singles. In the late 80's they gained some international recognition with their album Samora Machel. The title and lead song of the album were a tribute to the Mozambican leader who tragically died in a plane crash in 1986. The band played concerts in Europe and their album was released there as well. In the 90's with the collapse of the Zambian music industry, Shalawambe stopped producing recorded output but remained active performers. Surprisingly, the band survived the turbulent 90's and were in existence, albeit with different members, as late as 2020. Shalawambe 00:00 - Kambowa 04:18 - Bana Fimbusa Kariba (Teal Rec.) KSP 49 1986 DISCLAIMER: All music uploaded to this channel is shared with the intention of preserving rare out of print recordings and making them available to audiences who might otherwise never have an opportunity to experience the artists and their performances. Links to reissues will be provided when available. I do not claim copyright on any of this music. Copyrights belong to their respective owners. This channel is not and will never be monetized. If you are the artist or represent the artist and would like this recording removed, please reach out via the comments or contacts listed on my main page.