The Cool Crooners of Bulawayo - Isatilo (2004)

The Cool Crooners of today are the surviving members of two rival bands that played in the 50s : The Cool Four and The Golden Delicious Rhythm Crooners. The two groups were witness to colonialism, the country’s fight for independence, and the years as Zimbabwe emerged. During the years of conflict Abel joined the movement and was imprisoned and other members had died, Ben began selling furniture and Lucky worked for a record label.
The Crooners music is light, polished and old-time – things you don’t often hear these days. The seamless vocals, jaunty brass section has the feel of music halls, synched waists and men in suits. But the language, rhythm, lilting electric guitar and laid back cool is pure African.