One of the most unlikely comebacks in recent music history was WITCH’s 2023 offering, the excellent Zango. The Zamrock legends returned after 40 years, blending new and old styles to deliver the goods for a new generation to discover. Now comes SOGOLO, a follow-up that is more relaxed, less vital, but still able to rock, groove, and occasionally freak out.
Two long-running members, Jagari Chanda – Vocals + Percussion and Patrick Mwondela – Keys, reformed their band with younger artists, Jacco Gardner – Bass, Charlie Garmendia – Percussion, Stefan Lilov – Guitar, Nicola Mauskovic – Drums, Theresa Ng’Ambi – Vocals, Hanna Tembo – Vocals, recording SOGOLO in Berlin (with Gardner producing) during their world tour for Zango. On that album, the band saved their best for last, but on SOGOLO, the top tunes come at you right away.
The opener, “Kamusale,” is a mix of everything the group does well, as the song feels like classic British rock filtered through a psychedelic African lens. Garage noise evolves into ominous riffs that are fuzzy and heavy, as if spawned from Led Zeppelin’s cover of “When The Levee Breaks”. Laser synths and bouncing percussion add to the rhythm as the band cooks up an excellent sound. Other winners are the dense “Nadi,” which buzzes with a frantic energy and great groove, while the deep bass and synths color the pulsing “Queenless King” as psychedelic, funky sounds spin out from chicken scratchy wah-wah guitars.
After the opening successful run, WITCH settles down to more repetitive, Afrobeat-inspired numbers that are fully groove-focused, sacrificing some of the outfit’s uniqueness. Tembo takes over lead vocals for both “Tiponde Madzi”, which uses excellent percussion, and “Nibani”, while Ng’Ambi fronts “Set Free”, which starts as a ballad before bringing in the full band. The fuzzy wah-wah work shines bright on the brief instrumental “(In Memory Of) John,” while the psychedelic rock returns with “Totally Devoted” as the band launches thick bass and trippy synths around a cool, grooving, emotional plea.
The band’s original name was We Intend to Cause Havoc, but on the laidback album closer, “Machiriso”, Havoc is switched to Harmony, and that says it all. The original players have deservedly mellowed with age, allowing a restrained Afrobeat groove to play a larger role in their sound; yet SOGOLO proves they still have a few tricks up their sleeve, while pleasantly rolling along.
