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Various
Kenya Special (Selected East African Recordings From The 1970s & '80s)
Soundway (SNDWLP 046)
Soundway (SNDWLP046(7))
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.
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