Named in honour of Zambia Music Parlour recording artist and honorary producer Emmanuel Mulemena, The Mulemena Boys was founded in the wake of their namesake's death in 1982 by members of his backing band. Dedicated to their former bandleader, the group's 1984 debut draws on the type of folk music that Mulemena popularised in the 1970s with influences from the kalindula sound that was shaking up the music scene in the 1980s and rumba imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo. With its signature use of the drum machine and timeless good vibes, A Tribute to the Late Emmanuel Mulemena was Zambia Music Parlour's best selling title.

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Zambian folk maestro Emmanuel Mulemena, who died in February 1982, has not gone with the wind. Twenty two months after his death, the flame of his music has been rekindled by this album entitled A Tribute to the Late Emmanuel Mulemena, created by The Mulemena Boys under the Zambia Music Parlour label. The vocals on the album are not Mulemena's but the lyrics and music remain typical of him and most of the numbers are his. The main song on the album is "Navuluka," which is in Kaonde and comments on the fatherly advice the late singer gave to the band when he was still alive.

The Mulemena Boys is composed of Gift China on the bass guitar and backing vocals, Brian Chibangu on the rhythm guitar and lead vocals and Joseph Muemba on the lead guitar. When Mulemena was alive, the band performed as Mulemena and The Sound Inspectors. Gift China, who is the bandleader, said that the band changed their name after the death of the folk maestro. Chisa said the band was hit by a financial crisis after Mulemena's death. "When the late Mulemena lived, we were financially sound but now, despite recording ventures which can be profitable, we are really struggling," intoned a sullen looking Chisa.

The death of Mulemena brought a lot of hardships on the band, which is now desperately struggling. Before Mulemena got sick, the band was holding live shows at Kosapo Bar in Luanshya. When Mulemena was in hospital, during one of their shows, three amplifiers blew up for the lead guitar, bass guitar and one for the vocals. At the death of their leader, they only had one amplifier left! The band has recorded two singles so far, "Mukamfwila Afwa" and "Bana Mayo Bambi," which have done very well in the music market. In the meantime, the band performs at High Life Bar in Kitwe.

The "boys" give their thanks to the management of Kosapo Bar for the help rendered to them to repair their amplifiers. Thanks also go to Mr. R. Musompe, the uncle of the late singer, for the gererosity and cooperation he has always shown. Lastly, best wishes to Mr. Edward Khuzwayo, Peter Katongo and Mr. Billie Nyati for making this album a reality.