For helping to establish what we now refer to as "World Music" and becoming firm John Peel favourites during the late 1980s in the process, THE BHUNDU BOYS have rightly earned themselves a footnote in musical history.
Sadly, though, their reputation has come at a price, and their achievements have been offset by the deaths of former key members through the AIDS virus and the loss of ace guitarist/ songwriter Biggie Tembo through suicide following institutionalisation.
Indeed, the Bhundus history is every bit as turbulent as Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe itself and you'd forgive lesser bands for coming apart at every nail after suffering such tragedies.
Still led from the front by their founding member Rise Kagona (guitar/ vocals), however, Harare's BHUNDU BOYS are made from steelier stuff altogether. In fact, though their commercial peak may be long gone, as a live unit this quartet are every bit as tight as the group who made your reviewer dance like a rabid ferret on our first encounter all of (my God) 13 years ago.
Connolly's is a slightly bizarre, but cool and funky little venue, and while THE BHUNDU BOYS look slightly incongruous in front of a backdrop depicting the crossed hammer imagery from PINK FLOYD's enduringly apocalyptic "The Wall", from the moment they strike up these sunkissed melodies, all your fears are instantly banished.
Rise informs us this is the Bhundus third visit to Connolly's, and - apart from a brief explanation about the origins of "Jit Jive" music and the occasional "thanks", stage patter is minimal, but hell, dancing and losing your inhibitions are the goals here and by the time they exit over an hour later, the Bhundus have succeeded in warming up the frostiest of hearts.
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Frankly, THE BHUNDU BOYS' live scenario dares just about anyone capable not to dance. Rhythmically, their (often lengthy) tunes are absolutely catchy and sunny side up, though if you watch Rise's dextrous fretwork, you see just how intricate and strange their music is.
Incessant bass drum anchors the rhythms to the floor, while busy hi-hat patterns and melodic, chiming 5-string basslines ensure things get airborne quickly. All the while, Rise and a keyboard player (nattily dressed in an ANC vest and seemingly never still) pick out the most incredible, spidery chord sequences. Throughout the set the inventiveness just keeps on coming.
THE BHUNDU BOYS are that rare thing: a band that can seemingly harness together a whole disparate cross-section of people and make the all - even terminal wallflowers - frug until their footwear gives up the ghost. Their essential 2CD "Shed Sessions" (on sale at gigs) is a dazzling reminder of their 1980s heyday, but - live at least - the present quartet are formidable and more than relevant.
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