Metal Lungies

Its been a good day. The sun is shining, its warm-ish outside and my Amanaz record came in the mail. I got a tip a while back from gorillavsbear on the reissuing of Amanaz’s 1973 LP Africa. I knew I had to get on that when I heard Khala my Friend, especially cause I know have a deep fondness for that meandering kind of music that makes you feel warm and special. Anyway, this could be written off as just an old stoner record, but while it will help to be baked, its not necessary to become hypnotized by these fuzzy gems.

Amanaz: Khala My Friend

Amanaz formed in 1973 and recorded Africa in Kitwe, Zambia. All the members lend vocals at some point, which contirbutes sort of a different feeling to each song. Some are better vocalists than others; Isaac Mpofu has a great raspy voice thats like another Issac (Hayes) but a little more haunting. 3 of the songs are sung in Bemba and 9 in English. Bemba turns out to be a fitting language for gliding on the bitchin distorted blues riff in “Africa.” The guitar is subdued though, enough for Amanaz’s harmonious gospel to shine through.

Amanaz: Africa

I think its important that people find music like this every once and a while. Maybe not Amanaz, you might think Amanaz is hippy shit, but its just so good to find something that is unequivocally enjoyable. It washes the soul clean of people like Vanilla Ice and Flo Rida. I’m not sure I need to convince you people to listen to listen to good music but, fuck it, theres my lesson for the day.

Amanaz: Sunday Morning