I was a bit surprised that 50 countries since I started recording them after the first 100 have appeared here before Zimbabwe.
The landlocked Republic of Zimbabwe is a country in the South of Africa formerly known as Southern Rhodesia a self governing British colony. It officially gained internationally recognised independence on 18th April 1980.
Fortunately I didn't have to go searching too far for music as I have music from a few Zimbabwean artists.
First up are the magnificent Bhundu Boys with Baba Munini Francis. Championed by John Peel and Andy Kershaw they somehow ended up residing in Hawick in the Scottish Borders. I saw them put on a couple of brilliant concerts in Glasgow. From their 1986 album Shabini, which is a must have, here is Baba Munini Francis.
Zeke Manyika, who somehow became the drummer with Orange Juice, is also no stranger to these pages. Here he is walking in Kelvingrove, one of Glasgow's many fine parks.
The Real Sounds of Africa came to my attention via Cooking Vinyl samplers . Here they turn out as football commentators for Dynamos vs Tornados.
Oliver Mtukudzi, Tuko, to his fans , came to my attention via his song Rirongere from The Essential African Album another sampler this time from the magazine Songlines.
Last, but certainly not least we have The Lion of Zimbabwe namely Thomas Mapfumo with his band The Blacks Unlimited .The song Moyo Wambo is from their 1989 album Corruption.
I suspect BC152 will be slightly trickier!
Bhundu Boys - Baba Munini Francis
The Real Sounds of Africa - Dynamos vs Tornados
Thomas Mapfumo & the Blacks Unlimited - Moyo Wango
There will be nothing to see here for a couple of weeks as we are off to deepest, darkest Galloway fora well deserved holiday.

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