(Afro-Rock) Assagai - Zimbabwe - 1971, MP3 (tracks), 160 kbps

Assagai was an Afro-rock band from South Africa, active in the early 1970's in London. It consisted of five members: Louis Moholo, Mongezi Feza, Bizo Muggikana, Fred Coker, and Dudu Pukwana.They recorded for the British label Vertigo Records.
Assagai's self-titled debut album was released in 1971. It was reissued on CD by Repertoire Records in 1994.
Their second and final album, "Zimbabwe", was released later in 1971. The album was re-released as LP by Music for Pleasure label, but under a different title, "AfroRock".

The second Assagai album has an interesting and somewhat schizophrenic history. It was initially released in late 1971 under the name Zimbabwe - a test pressing was made on the Vertigo "swirl" label (#6360 058) but the actual release of the album took place on the Philips label. The album's cover and sleeve were designed and drawn by noted album-artist Roger Dean. All musicians are credited on the back cover; Jade Warrior members Tony Duhig, Jon Field, and Glyn Havard are credited for both performance and song-writing.
At some later date, the album was re-issued by the "Music For Pleasure / Sounds Superb" label, under the name AfroRock, with a completely different cover and sleeve. The back cover makes mention of the fact that the album had been released previously, but doesn't explain (or even mention) the change of name. No musician credits are given.
Like Assagai's first album, Zimbabwe includes a mix of original tunes written by members of the band (including newcomer Martha Mdenge, who has one of the loveliest voices I've ever heard) and cover versions of Jade Warrior tunes - specifically "Barazinbar" (from Released) and "Sanga" (from Eclipse). There's also a new song "Kinzambi" written by Tony Duhig.