WITCH – Sogolo: Album Review

By John Barlass on 30th June 2025 • ( Leave a comment )

The welcome return of Zamrock. Emmanuel ‘Jagri’ Chanda and Patrick Mwondela return with their WITCH project and more magical blending of the musics of Africa and the West. Sogolo is another triumph from WITCH.

Release Date: 13^th June 2025

Label: Partisan Records

Formats: CD / Vinyl / Digital

ZAMROCK

First: a brief recap – They thought is was over – but it wasn’t…

WITCH were the leading exponents. The band sat right there – in the eye of the hurricane – as Zamrock swept through Zambia , and the rest of Southern Africa, in the early to mid-1970s. Fronted by guitarist and lead vocalist Emmanuel ‘Jagri’ Chanda and supported by keyboardist/composer Patrick Mwondala, WITCH mixed the contemporary sounds being transmitted by such artists as Jimi Hendrix, Cream, The Stones, James Brown and Sly and the Family Stone with the percussive and resonant rhythms of Africa. Result: music that was fresh, new and thoroughly exciting. Zamrock!

WITCH and their contemporaries thrived whilst Zambia experienced an economic boom, fueled by the country’s thriving copper and gem mining industries that attracted workers from all over Africa and beyond. But, by the mid-1980s, the bust that, all too frequently, follows in the wake of such good fortune, had set in. Music became an unaffordable luxury. WITCH – and many other bands – had no alternative other than to throw in the towel.

Except, in the case of WITCH, the towel was attached to a long piece of elastic…

THE RETURN OF WITCH

Fast forward 39 years and WITCH were back and, in 2023, a re-assembled, re-modelled WITCH delighted us all when they unleashed Zango, one of the finest and most welcome comeback albums ever. It was a dazzling highlight of that year. Jagri and Patrick were back at the helm, and they’d filled the band’s ranks with accomplished musicians from The Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland.

And, now, a super-enhanced version of WITCH is back again, with Sogolo, another heady, intoxicating blend of the musics of Africa, Europe and North – and South America. Sogolo, the album’s title, derives from the Zambian word for ‘Future,’ because that’s the direction in which the attentions of Jagri, Patrick and their host of new recruits, is focused.

THE MAKING OF SOGOLO

Recorded in Berlin during a 10-day break in the 2024 WITCH World Tour, Sogolo features the bountiful skills of Cuban-Dominican percussionist Charlie Garmendia, Guitarist Stefan Lilov, bassist Jacco Gardner, drummer Nicola Mauscovic and two Zambian vocalists, Hahha Tembo and Teresa Ng’ambi. Reflecting on how the musicians melded together, Jagri remarked: “Sometimes we just jammed. But we tolerated one another and trusted each other’s contributions. Fortunately, what has come out seems to be good. [Each musician] feels that they have contributed something.”

You can say that again, Jagri. Sogolo is a true team effort, with every one of these masterful musicians playing at the very top of his, or her, game.

A SOUND THAT CAN’T FAIL TO HIT THE SPOT

The smoothness of the musical blend that characterises Sogolo is evident is evident right from the outset, as African drums and simmering guitars provide the backing for the part-sung, part-spoken vocals on opening track Kamusale. The song’s lyrics are based upon a Bemba children’s game song and they’re delivery is full of true soulful commitment. This is a sound that can’t fail to hit the spot, regardless of the musical preferences of the listener.

Speaking of Nadi, a song on which the hard rock of Hendrix and Black Sabbath alternates with a delicious funky groove, bassist Jacco said: “]it’s] the hardest rocking track on the album. With that song, we tried to reference the heavy Zamrock sound – the garage band style that WITCH began with, before verging into more complex progressive rock, then traditional rhythms, Afrobeat vibes and disco. We had a lot to reference!”

CLOSER TO CHIC THAN TO SLY?

Rich, twangy bass sets the pattern for the soulful Queenless King, before drums, guitars and synth all pick up the rhythm. It’s one of a handful of songs on the album with lyrics in English. They’re delivered as an upbeat, mellow soul number that sits far closer to Chic than it does to Sly. The song’s lyrics deal with the perils of marriage, specifically what happens when family pressure forces a bad decision. “You are forced to marry someone because of her beauty, not knowing that her true colours are very cunning,” explains Jagri. “In the end, you discover her wicked ways. You end up being a queenless king.”

The lyrics to the delightful Tiponde Madzi tell an old Zambian story of animals gathering together to seek water by stamping on the ground. The tune began its life in a hotel room jam and switches between a slow, conspiratorial, sound and a raucous, percussion-driven bossa nova.

ZAMBIAN ROOTS AND SHADES OF SANTANA

The Zambian roots of WITCH are, perhaps, most evident for Bang Bang, an enticing chant, delivered to vibrant percussion and swirls of organ that builds into a joyous celebration. “Hey-y-y, come around me, Hey-y-y Bang! Bang!” sings Jagri, as he urges the world – America, Europe and elsewhere – to have fun at ‘Bang Bang Time.’ Meanwhile, the Southern African guitars of Set Free blend seamlessly with a dose of sophisticated R&B. Jacco’s bass is in charge, but Charlie’s percussion isn’t far behind him, and Theresa’s vocals are ecstatic.

Mbangula Sesa is a traditional African chant that no listener will be able to resist joining in with, before things take on a shade of Santana for the dreamy (In Memory of) John. Once again, Jacco’s bass is rock-solid as Stefan’s guitar explores the space all around him and Jacco turns to his synth to add an extra layer of richness.

LET THE MUSIC WASH

WITCH have a special talent for merging psychedelia, funk and sheer joy to come with something very special and that’s exactly what they for Dancer on a Trip. Jacco hits every inch of his fretboard, and Nicola’s drums keep pace. Jagri calls the lyrics and Hanna and Theresa respond. And the music washes over, around and right inside the listener.

Jacco claims that the funky Nibani was a soundcheck jam that the band were unaware was being recorded. In truth, it sounds too clean, too precise and too well-produced for something with such an origin but, I suppose you never know… No matter – Hanna’s divine, confident, vocals are worth the entrance fee on their own.

A CLOSING MESSAGE

Patrick suggested an adaptation of Psalm 23 as the lyrics to Totally Devoted, after he suffered a life-threatening pulmonary embolism whist on the recent tour. It was his way of giving thanks for being allowed to pull through the experience. And the song? It’s as funky and soulful as life itself!

Sogolo is brought to a close with Machiriso, the longest track here, and quite possibly, the best. A hypnotic Jacco bassline provides the foundation as, for one final time, Africa and the West unite in joyous ecstasy. Theresa’s vocals are beautiful and thoroughly alluring and every member of the band plays a full part as Theresa assures us that “Love and peace is where the healing starts.” And that’s a wonderful message to end with.

WHITHER NEXT FOR WITCH?

So, what next for WITCH? Jagri and Patrick are keeping their cards close to their chests, but they’re clear about one thing: they’re looking ahead, not back. “The Rolling Stones?” says Jagri, “How long have they been together? A long, long time. They have money but they’re still doing something they love. I think it’s the same thing with us. My hope is that the longer we stay together, whether with the young ones, the old ones, whoever can fit into the genre, they’re welcome.” And Patrick agrees: “There’s more to come, and more songs to share with the world.”

Bring them on, that’s what we say!

Watch the official video to Queenless King – a track from the album – below: