Lukombo Vibes

On its first three albums, the '70s Zambian band Witch drew from garage, psychedelia, hard rock, and even a little funk to create its own rough-and-ready sound. On its fourth release, Lukombo Vibes, the group started to incorporate African elements. “Nasauka” marries rock and more local sounds to create a hypnotic vibe that distantly evokes Fela as well as British rock. A wild and crazy bass line animates “Kangalaitoito,” where the organist rips it up. “Thou Shalt Not Cry” has a great groove that's another example of the band's new African direction. But Witch doesn’t leave rock behind. On “Bleeding Thunder,” moody guitar picking gives way to riffing and a vocal melody that echoes Black Sabbath. “Blood Donor” has bluesy organ, guitar fills flavored by country and R&B, and a section where the group flat-out rocks. “Devil’s Flight” is marked by phased cymbals that color the audio spectrum, while “Evening of My Life” mixes acoustic guitars and synthy tones. “Fool’s Ride” might be the catchiest cut: it’s not hard to imagine it being a '70s radio hit.