Zig-Zag Band

Emerging in the early 1980s, Zig-Zag Band established themselves as one of Zimbabwe's most distinctive musical voices. Hailing from the small town of Kwekwe, Zig-Zag Band appeared out of nowhere and revolutionised the 80s music scene with a new sound. They crafted a bold and original style defined as Chigiyo - a vibrant fusion of reggae, traditional rhythms, brass arrangements and mbira-inspired guitar. With intricate guitar lines, infectious dance rhythms, and raw, soulful Shona vocals, they pushed beyond genre boundaries. While many contemporaries opted for commercially safer routes, Zig-Zag remained fiercely independent, committed to authenticity and innovation. Despite the loss of nearly all original members over the years, Gilbert Zvamaida—now based in the U.S. and performing with Thomas Mapfumo’s Blacks Unlimited—continues to carry the torch. As the last surviving founding member, he remains a guardian of Chigiyo, keeping its legacy alive for future audiences. Housed in a limited edition 3-color screen printed cover, which also includes a download voucher - this compilation brings Zig-Zag Band’s groundbreaking music back into the spotlight— celebrating their unique contribution to Zimbabwean culture and reintroducing a vibrant, underappreciated catalogue to a new generation of listeners.