Ngozi Family – “45,000 Volts” – [No Smoke Records]

surferrosa   11/8/2011   12-inch, International

Originally released in 1977, here is an album of African garage rock from Zambia. Ngozi Family were the first band to be classified as “zamrock” (read the blurb on the back, lots of good info). The music here is riff driven and vocal-centric, with an up beat , approachable sound. Paul Ngozi sings both in English and Zambian and plays a great lead guitar, adding tasteful, well placed guitar solos full of crackley, gritty fuzz and a nice touch of wah on almost every track. The music here is a beautiful blend of traditional African beats and rythms with the sound of western 70s rock.?? It feels good and it sounds even better. – Surfer Rosa