Sunburst (band)


Sunburst was an African band that was formed in 1970 by Zairean guitarist Hembi Flory Kongo. One of its members was Eric Allandale who used to be with The Foundations, and previously the New Orleans Knights. The band is a part of African music history.

Biographical

Their music was a combo of Afro-rock, Zamrock, and Kitoto. Following a radio session in 1973, the band gained national attention. A month after that in July they won a band competition in Dar Es Salaam and grew more popular. They also recorded singles in Kenya. In 1976 they were working on an album. Their album was released in 1977 and around that time they had split up. Prior to the recording of their album, they had recorded a session for Tanzanian radio.
They were managed by Peter Bagshawe. Prior to becoming the manager for the band, Bagshawe originally from Yorkshire was a steam train enthusiast and living in Zambia at the time.
in 2016, the Ave Africa, The Complete Recordings 1973-1976 album was released. It was released on Strut Records.

Band members

YearNoteTitleLabelcatalogue #
1973Kenyan releaseEnzi Za Utumwani / Matatizo NyumbaniMoto MotoMOTO 7-108
1973French releaseEnzi Za Utumwani / Matatiso NyumbaniRCA Victor
Africana series		FWBO 9301
1973Kenyan releaseLet's Live Together / Black Is BeautifulMoto MotoMOTO 7-107
1973French releaseLet's Live Together / Black Is BeautifulRCA Victor
Africana series		FWBO 9302
1976Tanzanian releaseKipato Sina / Mai Wetu MaiTFCTFC 2003
1976Tanzanian releaseVijana / K.K. of ZambiaTFCTFC 2005
1976Tanzanian releaseSimba Anguruma / BanchikichaTFCTFC 2004

YearNoteTitleLabelCatalogue #
1976Zambian release Ave AfricaKitoto RecordsKTL 001
2016UK release
2 × Vinyl, LP, Compilation, 180 Gram		Ave Africa: The Complete Recordings 1973-1976StrutSTRUT128LP
2016UK release
2 × CD, Compilation		Ave Africa: The Complete Recordings 1973-1976StrutSTRUT128CD