The Real Sounds - Wende Zako Vinyl

Artist: The Real Sounds

Title: Wende Zako

Label: Cooking Vinyl

Catalogue Number: COOK 004

Country: United Kingdom

Original Release Year: 1987

Pressing Year: 1987 UK Original Pressing

Format: Vinyl LP

Speed: 33⅓ RPM

Description

Wende Zako is the acclaimed European debut by The Real Sounds, an eleven-piece Congolese soukous band based in Zimbabwe. Released in 1987, the album showcases the group's infectious blend of Congolese rumba, soukous and Zimbabwean musical influences, combining intricate guitar work with rich vocal harmonies and irresistible dance rhythms.

Featuring standout tracks including Wende Zako, Tsi Tsi Wangu, Mujinga, Tornados Vs. Dynamos (3-3) and Esha, the album introduced the band to a wider international audience and remains a highly regarded release in the African music catalogue of Cooking Vinyl.

Pressing Notes

Original 1987 UK pressing on Cooking Vinyl, catalogue number COOK 004.

Released following the band's successful European tour and television exposure, Wende Zako was the first Cooking Vinyl release by The Real Sounds. Original UK pressings are increasingly sought after by collectors of African and world music for their excellent analogue sound quality and relative scarcity.

Track Listing

Side One

Wende Zako
Tsi Tsi Wangu
Mujinga

Side Two

Tornados Vs. Dynamos (3-3)
Esha
Additional Information
Original 1987 UK pressing
Cooking Vinyl
Catalogue number COOK 004
33⅓ RPM vinyl LP
African / Soukous
Features Wende Zako
Includes Tsi Tsi Wangu
Features Mujinga
Includes Tornados Vs. Dynamos (3-3)
Features Esha
Classic African soukous release
Highly collectible original UK pressing
Condition

Sleeve: Very Good Plus (VG+)

Record: Very Good Plus (VG+)

Inner Sleeve: Very Good Plus (VG+)

Rockabuy Records Grading Guide

Near Mint (NM)

Virtually flawless condition. Played only a handful of times with no visible marks or signs of wear.

Excellent (EX)

Lightly played and exceptionally well cared for. May show only minimal signs of handling with no significant marks affecting playback.

Very Good Plus (VG+)

A well-preserved copy with only light signs of use. The sleeve remains clean and structurally sound, while the vinyl shows minimal surface marks that do not significantly affect playback.

Very Good (VG)

Noticeable signs of use with light surface marks and handling wear, though the record plays well throughout without major faults.

Good (G)

Visible wear with more pronounced marks. Playback remains enjoyable with some background noise.

Poor / Fair (P/F)

Heavy wear and significant scratches affecting playback quality.

Shipping

All records are visually inspected and conservatively graded for both sleeve and vinyl condition. Records are securely packaged in professional record mailers with protective stiffeners and dispatched via a fully tracked delivery service to ensure safe arrival.