Zamrock legends WITCH (We Intend To Cause Havoc) aren’t just back—they’re charging forward. Their latest record, Sogolo (translated: Future, or Front), is a cosmic Afro-rock time warp, fusing the Zambian band’s deep 70s roots with a borderless new lineup and futuristic studio touches courtesy of Dutch producer Jacco Gardner. Cut in just ten days mid-tour in Berlin, the twelve new songs glow with the kind of raw, collaborative spark you can’t fake.

It’s amazing how then and now merge, which also applies to urgent storytelling with experimental groove, and analog synth washes with krautrock nods, not to mention the potpourri of voices, styles and influences that pass by here. Among the many standout tracks are Kamusale (a Bemba children’s game song with a garage rock bite), Queenless King (a cautionary tale about choosing love wisely), and Machiriso (Afro-rap warmth straight from a serendipitous lunch break jam), but it’s the all-too-short tribute tune Mbangula Sesa that has me hitting the repeat button the most—shouldn’t that be a summer hit?

Sogolo is out now digitally, on CD and vinyl LP, through Desert Daze Sound / Partisan Records. Featuring Jagari Chandra (lead vocals), Patrick Mwondea (lead synthesizer, organ), Stefan Lilov (guitars, bass synthesizer, piano ), Nicola Mauskovic (drums), Charlie Garmendia (percussion), Theresa Ng’ambi (vocals, backing vocals), Hanna Tembo (vocals, backing vocals), and Jacco Gardner (bass, percussion, synthesizer).

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Desert Daze || Discogs ||  Partisan