« back

v/a - kenya special - selected east african recordings from the 1970s & �80s� - soundway records - cd

Genre: African

1. The Loi-Toki-Tok - Ware - Wa
2. The Rift Valley Brothers - Mu-Africa
3. Slim Ali & The Famous Hodi Boys - Watoto Nyara
4. The Mombasa Vikings - Mama Matotoya
5. The Lulus Band - Ngwendeire Guita
6. Mbiri Young Stars - Ndiri Ndanogio Niwe
7. Gatanga Boys Band - Wendo Ti Mbia
8. Orchestre Vévé Star - Nitarudia
9. Hafusa Abasi & Slim Ali with The Kikulacho Yahoos Band - Sina Raha
10. DO 7 Band - H.O. Ochiri
11. New Gatanga Sound - Thoni Na Caki
12. The Lulus Band - Naka Part 2
13. Nashil Pichen & The Eagles Lupopo - Ng'ong'a Wa Mwanjalo
14. Orchestre Baba National - Sweet Sweet Mbombo
15. Afro '70 - Cha-Umheja
16. Peter Tsotsi Juma & The Eagles Lupopo - Kajo Golo - Weka
17. The Lulus Band - Mutumia Muriu
18. Sophia Ben & The Eagles Lupopo - See Serere
19. The Loi-Toki-Tok Band - Leta Ngoma
20. Orchestre Super Volcano - Mngeni Mali Yare Yore
21. The Rift Valley Brothers - Tiga Kurira
22. Kalambya Boys - Kivelenge
23. Huruma Boys Band - Theresia
24. Gatanga Boys Band - Keep Change Kairitu
25. The Famous Nyahururu Boys - Mwendwa
26. The Eagles Lupopo - Pelekani
27. Ndalani 77 Brohters - Nzaumi
28. Afro 70 - Afrousa (Move On)
29. Nairobi Matata Jazz - Tamba Tamba
30. Kiratu And His Group - Yanagiria Kayo
31. Afro 70 - Week End
32. The Mombasa Vikings - Kibe Kibe

Soundway Records present Kenya Special: Selected East African Recordings from the 1970s & '80s - a treasure-trove of rare and unusual recordings from East Africa.

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.