By continuing your navigation on this website, you accept the use of cookies for statistical purposes.

Various - Kenya Special (Selected East African Recordings From The 1970s & '80s) | Soundway (SNDWLP 046) - main
Various - Kenya Special (Selected East African Recordings From The 1970s & '80s) | Soundway (SNDWLP 046) - 1Various - Kenya Special (Selected East African Recordings From The 1970s & '80s) | Soundway (SNDWLP 046) - 2Various - Kenya Special (Selected East African Recordings From The 1970s & '80s) | Soundway (SNDWLP 046) - 3Various - Kenya Special (Selected East African Recordings From The 1970s & '80s) | Soundway (SNDWLP 046) - 4

Various

Kenya Special (Selected East African Recordings From The 1970s & '80s)

Soundway (SNDWLP 046)
Soundway (SNDWLP046(7))

3x Vinyl LP1x Vinyl 7" 45 RPM1x All Media Album Compilation

Release date: Jan 1, 2013, UK

Soundway Records present Kenya Special: Selected East African Recordings from the 1970s & '80s - a treasure-trove of rare and unusual recordings from East Africa. Spread out over a triple LP, Kenya Special is accompanied by detailed liner notes, original artwork and photographs. LP comes with two track bonus 7"!

It follows on from Soundway's much acclaimed African 'Special' series that to date has focused on the highlife and afrobeat output from 1970s Nigeria and Ghana. Kenya Special is a collection of 32 recordings (most of which were only ever released on small-run 45rpm 7" singles) that stand out as being different or unique as well as some classic genre standards. From Kikuyu language 'liquid soul', Luo benga and Swahili afrobeat to genre-bending Congolese and Tanzanian tracks recorded in Nairobi, Kenya Special sees Soundway yet again taking the less trodden path. Many of the tracks featured here are peppered with innovation and experimentation highlighting how diverse the music scene in Kenya was at the time.

In 1970s Kenya the two threads of rumba and benga loosely dominated the music scene. Benga quickly became Kenya's unique contribution to afro-pop; spreading like wildfire through the interior countryside with it's fast, 4/4 machine-gun beat and intricate electric guitar layers. The Congolese take on Afro-Cuban rumba was introduced by touring bands many of whom settled in East Africa - influencing bands from Kenya and Tanzania to come up with their own take on this popular style. Alongside these styles were small ensembles and hotel-sponsored bands, playing a blend of music that often included rock n roll riffs, elements of 'afro' music (influenced by West African musicians like Fela Kuti), and multiple other combinations from South African and Zambian guitar styles to disco, funk and Swahili coastal rhythms like chakacha.

Painstakingly compiled, assembled and researched over two years by a team of five people from five countries (Kenya included), Kenya Special is a collection that looks beyond the mainstream and brings new life and recognition to some little known gems and forgotten classics of Kenya's past.

33.5€
Add to basket
Pre order item Available Mar 12, 2025

*Taxes included, shipping price excluded

Add to wantlist

A1

The Loi-Toki-Tok Band - Ware Wa

A2

Slim Ali - Watoto Nyara

A3

Orchestre Baba National - Sweet Sweet Mbombo

B1

Gatanga Boys Band - Wendo Ti Mbia

B2

Hafusa Abasi - Sina Raha

B3

Nashil Pichen - Ng'ong'a Wa Mwanjalo

B4

Nairobi Matata Jazz - Tamba Tamba

C1

The Lulus Band - Ngwendeire Guita

C2

Mbiri Young Stars - Ndiri Ndanogio Niwe

C3

The Lulus Band - Nana

C4

Afro 70 Band - Week End

D1

Rift Valley Brothers - Mu Africa

D2

D.O. 7 Shirati Jazz - H.O. Ochiri

D3

Afro 70 Band - Cha-Umheja

D4

Peter Tsotsi - Kajo Golo Weka

E1

New Gatanga Sound - Thoni Ni Caki

E2

Sophia Ben - See Serere

E3

Kalambya Boys - Kivelenge

E4

The Loi-Toki-Tok Band - Leta Ngoma

F1

Huruma Boys Band - Teresia

F2

Orchestre Veve - Nitarudia

F3

The Mombasa Vikings - Mama Matotoya

G

The Lulus Band - Mutumia Muriu

H

Ndalani 77 Brothers - Nzaumi