Oscillations // A "Zamrock!!" Story ft. Victor Kunda Kasoma

Zambian songwriter and guitarist Victor Kunda Kasoma was the founder and bandleader of the Zamrock group Oscillations during the 1970s. In this short documentary, he provides creative insights and personal anecdotes about the making of his 1977 album I Can See It Coming.

DIGITAL ALBUM

Directed by Calum MacNaughton

Filmed by Jacques Koudstaal

Edited by Khalid Shamis

Produced for Reissue by Jason Connoy and Calum MacNaughton

℗ 1978 © 2020 Sharp-Flat Records / Strawberry Rain Music

The Story of "Zamrock!!" // The Zambian Rock Sound 1972-1978

A snapshot of the social and political backdrop of Zambia's rock music scene in the 1970s and a companion documentary to the eponymous 8LP vinyl boxset of May 2020. This short film weaves together interviews with ten artists and music industry professionals from the era and provides anecdotal insights into the creation and production processes of Zambia's burgeoning 1970s recording industry. The Story of "Zamrock!!" puts a face to some of Zambian rock's most cherished songwriters, presenting interviews with surviving members of Amanaz for the very first time and introducing the eccentric A&R executive Billie David Nyati of the independent Zambia Music Parlour label. Also featured are Zambia's first female recording artist Violet Kafula of Crossbones and physically challenged guitar wizard Victor Kunda Kasoma of Oscillations. Eschewing voiceovers or academic exposition, this short documentary is a refreshing insider window onto one of the 20th century's most compelling outsider rock scenes.

This is “Zamrock!!” // Crossbones

While carving a place for women in the music industry, Violet Kafula hit the mark with one of her contributions to the Crossbones band’s sole release and proved that Zambia had an appetite for local pop. “I came up with ‘Mwebalume Bandi’ and in two weeks, it sold about 14 000 copies. Up to now, it’s still a hit. That’s what made me the first female artist in Zambia because there were no female musicians on the scene.” 

Read More: Violet Kafula of Crossbones (Digital Liner Notes)

This is “Zamrock!!” // Blackfoot

Issued by Zambia Music Parlour in 1976, Blackfoot’s Millie (ZMPL19) joined a prestigious catalogue that included releases by Tinkles, Emmanuel Mulemena, WITCH, Peace, Amanaz, Rikki Ililonga, Born Free, 5 Revolutions and Ngozi Family. In the two years since its debut, Edward Khuzwayo’s Zambia Music Parlour had established itself as a principal exponent of the burgeoning Zambian recording industry. The Foot Steps (ZMPL28) followed in 1978, securing Blackfoot’s place in Zambian rock history. 

Read More: Tracking Blackfoot (Digital Liner Notes)

This is “Zamrock!!” // Jagari & Rikki

Take a trip to psychedelic Southern Africa with veteran rockers Jagari Chanda and Rikki Ililonga as they prepare for a journey to France to perform the innovative Afro-Global musical brew they created in the 1970s to an international audience for the first time.

Isso é “Zamrock!!” // Jagari & Rikki (Legendado em Português)

Embarque numa jornada psicodélica pelo Sul da África com os veteranos do rock Jagari Chanda e Rikki Ililonga enquanto se preparam para uma turnê pela França para apresentar para uma plateia internacional pela primeira vez o musical inovativo Afro-Global que eles criaram nos anos 1970.

This is “Zamrock!!” // World Festival Première

The short documentary This is “Zamrock!!” // Rikki & Jagari touches on themes of age and creativity, heritage and modernity as well as Africa’s little-known contribution to global rock. It premières in the Zambian capital on Monday 2 September 2013 at Manda Hill Mall as part of the Lusaka International Film and Music Festival.

Posted: August 1, 2013

This is “Zamrock!!” // Film Release

With growing interest in the recorded output of 1970s Zambia, Jagari Chanda (WITCH) and Rikki Illilonga (Musi-O-Tunya) have seen their work reissued in recent times. December 2012, however, was a threshold month as the veteran Zamrockers teamed up with Germany’s Karl Hector & The Malcouns to perform at the Trans Musicales Festival in France. Appearing under the super-group moniker Zam Rock, this was Jagari Chanda’s first appearance on a stage outside Africa. The pair’s initial Lusaka rehearsal in November 2012 is the subject of a short film that launches a web series entitled This is “Zamrock!!” that goes online on Thursday 7 March 2013.

Director Calum MacNaughton is a Cape Town-based writer, documentary filmmaker and Southern African culture guide. He launched the Cape Town Goema Orchestra with composer Mac McKenzie in 2010 and wrote and co-directed the music documentary Mama Goema (Best Documentary Feature, Tri-Continental Film Festival 2011). This is “Zamrock!!” is produced and hosted by the Zambian music community and archival website Zamrock.Org.

Artwork: Am I Collective | Posted: March 1, 2013