Four Brothers (band)

The Four Brothers are perhaps the most internationally successful and recognised group to come from Zimbabwe. The members are not literally brothers and at times there have been more than four. They play fast-paced guitar-based pop music with songs sung in the Shona language. Their lead guitar string-plucking sound is reminiscent of the sound of the African mbira instrument and is a style known as 'jit'.

Founded in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) in 1977 by Marshall Munhumumwe and Never Mutare with Edward Zulu and Aleck Chipaika, the band gained international recognition in the late 1980’s with UK BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel being their most well known advocate.

Marshall Munhumumwe was the nephew of Zimbabwean star Thomas Mapfumo.

At the time the Four Brothers formed bands in Rhodesia were not allowed to play traditional African music. The Four Brothers therefore played rock and roll cover versions of well-known artists such as the Beatles. They took up a residency position at the Saratoga bar in Salisbury (now Harare).

After the ‘Chimurenga’, the War of Independence in Zimbabwe, it became possible to again play traditional music. The band’s format and instruments are clearly influenced by western rock and roll but the sound is evidently originating from Africa. The lead guitar is played in such a way as to sound like mbira.

Marshall Munhumumwe wrote most of the band’s songs and music as well as unusually being both the lead singer and drummer. Their first big hit in Zimbabwe, ‘Makorokoto’, celebrated Zimbabwean independence. Makorokoto means ‘celebration’ in the Shona language.

After signing a deal with British record label Cooking Vinyl the band toured the UK and Canada. This apparently brought the band a greater degree of musical freedom enabling them to buy new instruments and to record more.

BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel championed The Four Brothers in the UK. They recorded four radio sessions for his show between 1988 and 2000. The band played at Peel's surprise 50th birthday party at his home and he selected 'Pasi Pano Pane Zviedzo' as one of his favourite records of all time on the radio show "Desert Island Discs" in 1990. Peel is often quoted as describing the Four Brothers as "..the best live band in the world".

In 1997 founder member Marshall Munhumumwe suffered a stroke, following a car crash. He was unable to continue to perform with the band and was replaced by Albert Ruwizhi. Munhumumwe died in 2001.

The current status of the band is not known.

Discography and band members:

Makorokoto (compilation LP 1988) [COOKCD014] :

Marshall Munhumumwe - Drums and lead vocalsNever Mutare – Bass and vocalsAleck Chipaika – Rhythm guitar and vocalsEdward Matiyasi – Lead guitar and vocals

Makorokoto was released on the UK on the Cooking Vinyl record label and uses songs licensed from Serengeti Records. It was a CD & LP release. The CD contains all 16 tracks while the LP version contains only 10 tracks. When the LP ‘Bros’ was released the following year the tracks that did not appear on the Makorokoto LP were included as a free six track EP.

*1. Uchandifunga
*2. Vimbayi (2)
*3. Rumbidzai (6)
*4. Makorokoto
*5. Rudo Imoto (1)
*6. Pasi Pano Pane Zviedzo (4)
*7. Maishoko Ababa Namai (3)
*8. Guhwa Uri Mwana Waani
*9. Wapenga Nayo Bonus
*10. Siya Zviriko (2)
*11. Rugare
*12. Ndakatadzeiko
*13. Pamusoroi
*14. Nhaka Yemusiiranwa
*15. Sara Tasangana
*16. Ndakatambura

Bros (LP & CD 1989) [COOK023] Frank Sibanda replaced Edward Matiyasi – Lead guitar and vocals

*1. Rudo Chete
*2. Ngatipindukewo
*3. Nhamo
*4. Kutambura Chete
*5. Zuro Chisara
*6. Munondizvidza
*7. Vabereki
*8. Chenjerera Ngozi
*9. Wakazvarwa

Uchandifunga 12 inch single (Recorded at Shed Studios, Harare, Zimbabwe) [FRY005/T]
*1. Uchandifunga (Dance remix)
*2. Makorokoto
*3. Guhwa Uri Mwana Waani

Mukadzi Wepiri (1990) [Gramma /Kumusha Records KSALP 129]

*1. Mukadzi Wepiri
*2. Chidhakwa
*3. Mazita Nezviito
*4. Zvakona
*5. Chiroora
*6. Tezvara
*7. Musandodaro
*8. Chandavengerwa

Manga Manga (1998, PCP Records, London, PCPCD02)

Never Mutare – bass guitar and backing vocalsFrank Sibanda – lead and acoustic guitar and backing vocalsAlbert Ruwizhi –drums and lead vocalsRobium Chauraya – rhythm guitar and backing vocals(Aleck Chipaika played keyboards at around this time but does not appear on the CD)

*1. Hapana achanyara
*2. Usagare nechigumba
*3. Mugomba
*4. Vana ve mazuvaano
*5. Ndinotenda
*6. Hunhu wemunhu
*7. Cahkaipa chiri nyore
*8. Sarudzai waenda
*9. Vamwene vanoshusha

The recordings of The Four Brothers appear on many compilation albums. 'Pasi Pano Pane Zviedzo' appears on the 2006 compilation in tribute to John Peel 'Right Time, Wrong Speed'

References

* Sleeve notes to ‘Manga Manga’ by Brian Altchuler

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/artists/t/thefourbrothers/ Details of Peel Sessions for BBC]