Radiodiffusion Internasionaal Annexe

♬ Enzi Za Utumwani

Sunburst was founded in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in 1970 by by guitarist Hembi Flory Kongo – who was originally from Zaïre. After playing the city’s clubs, they were introduced to a larger audience via a live session for the state-owned Radio Tanzania. They eventually went to Kenya to record their first two singles.

In 1974, Sunburst met Zambian musician Rikki Ililonga from Zamrock group Musi-O-Tunya and he invited them to Zambia. Meeting their later manager, Peter Bagshawe, they embarked on an ill-fated tour with Kenyan funk band Matata before working on a first full album in 1976 in Lusaka with new band members. After the release of the album, they recorded three more singles for the Tanzanian state label Tanzania Film Company and then called it quits.

Strut reissued their album Ave Africa. The release includes all of their singles and radio sessions.

Catalog number FWBO 9301 on RCA Victor of France. Released 1973.