Walk and Fight was recorded by:
Riketzo Makuyu "Rikki" Ililonga - Lead Guitar, Vocals
Ndara "Derreck" Mbao: Bass Guitar, Lead Vocal
Aliki Kunda: Western Drums, Vocals
Siliya Lungu: African Drums, Vocals
Kenny Chernoff: Soprano Saxophone
John Bobby Otieno: Rhythm Guitar
Brother Njenga: Trumpet
Zambia...what a cool name. And Lusaka, its capital. Musi-O-Tunya is a variation on Mosi-O-Tunya, which means "thundering smoke" and is the Zambian name for Victoria Falls. The Brits occupied the area from around 1888 until 1964, when Zambia gained independence.
So, as young musicians in the 60s and 70s, these Zambian rockers experienced the joy of rock n roll and the pride of independence. You can hear it in the music, the fun and the excitement of rocking out in their own country. Western music without Western rule.
Walk and Fight starts off with some cymbals, double pounding drums and congas. At 0:21, the horns and guitars arrive, making a proclamation of sorts. It reminds me somewhat of Sonny Sharrock's Ask the Ages album, that unison of sax and distorted guitar. The lyrics come in at 0:56:
Man, man, who lived in the jungle, for so many years...
At 2:06 it switches into a new section of falling and rising horn riffs and electro-sputtering wah wah guitar. I love the dual rising rhythm and wah guitar moments, like around 2:10, 2:18, etc. It's a sweet little riff. We dip back into a repeat of the first section at 2:36.
Into the second section again at 4:10, and this time around Rikki Ililonga plays some wicked licks on the guitar from 4:24-4:48. Ndara Mbao's bass also stands out more during this section, dropping in some cool licks around Rikki's guitar. The horns keep kicking out the jams all through it.
At 5:08 we enter a final section, one of victory and liberation. The man has risen up and freed his people, walking and fighting with his guns and arrows. One more trip through the first two sections as the freedom children dance off into the sunset.
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