James also worked American Country & Western sounds into his music, combining them with African horns and light, lilting guitar lines.
Chimombe got his start as a rhythm guitarist with Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi.
As one of Zimbabwe's first resident Congolese bands, OK Success recruited top Zimbabwean musicians and produced a string of hits in the 1960s and 1970s.
Chimombe is best known for his hit songs "Jemedza", "Kudakwashe", “George Mudiwa” and "Bindura".
Chimombe and the OK Success band would during the week sessions sometimes sing and perform Lionel Richie at Club Hide Out 99 where he was the resident artist.