John Kijiko & Atomic Jazz Band — Na Tucheze Pachanga Vol. 3

Atomic Jazz Band hail from upcountry Tanzania, Tanga to be exact, and formed in the mid-1950’s. The Latin-American rhumba-informed sounds that penetrated the continent from Senegal to Kenya and down to Congo/Zaire and beyond played a huge role in the nightlife scenes and musical developments of so many popular music movements, way too much about this to discuss on this tiny blog, Google that ish. I will say the Swahili iteration of these Trans-Atlantic musical threads is particularly charming and I hope to delve further if the opportunity arises (i.e. I somehow find a load of these tapes and/or visit Tanzania).

Bandleader John Kijiko guided this band, among others, and released massive joints throughout the 60s and 70s. More info on them at the excellent KenTanZa vinyl website.

Side A

Tanzania Yetu Ni Nchi Ya Furaha

Wee Zaina

Leo Kwetu Furaha

Ewe Amida Wangu

Na Tucheze Pachanga

Tanzania Yetu Tunaipenda

Tulivyo Pendana

Side B

Msaangao Umeniingia

Ooh Mpenzi Asha

Tulipokuwa Sarafini

Taabu Nyingi

Atomic Jazz