http://www.soundwayrecords.com
Country : Kenya
Genre : World Music
Style : Compilation , Afro Funk , Psychedelic , Afrobeat
Label : Soud Way Records
Year : 2013
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 two CDs and one triple LP, Kenya Special is accompanied by detailed liner notes, original artwork and photographs.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.
Source
Tracklist :
CD1
01 The Loi_Toki_Tok Band – Ware Wa
02 The Rift Valley Brothers – Mu Africa
03 Slim Ali & The Famous Hodi Boys – Watoto Nyara
04 The Mombasa Vikings – Mama Matotoya
05 The Lulus Band – Ngwendeire Guita
06 Mbiri Young Stars – Ndiri Ndanogio Niwe
07 Gatanga Boys Band – Wendo Ti Mbia
08 Orchestre Vévé Star – Nitarudia
09 Hafusa Abasi & Slim Ali with The Yahoos Band – Sina Raha
10 DO 7 Band – H.O. Ongili
11 New Gatanga Sound – Thoni Na Caki
12 The Lulus Band – Nana
13 Nashil Pichen & The Eagles Lupopo – Ngonga Wa Mwanjalo
14 Orchestre Baba National – Sweet Sweet Mbombo
14 Afro 70 – Cha_Umheja
15 Peter Tsotsi Juma & The Eagles Lupopo – Kajo Golo Weka
CD2
01 The Lulus Band – Mutumia Muriu
02 Sophia Ben & The Eagles Lupopo – See Serere
03 The Loi_Toki_Tok Band – Leta Ngoma
04 Orchestre Super Volcano – Mngeni Mali Yare Yore
05 The Rift Valley Brothers – Tiga Kurira
06 Kalambya Boys – Kivelenge
07 Huruma Boys Band – Teresia
08 Gatanga Boys Band – Keep Change Kairitu
09 The Famous Nyahururu Boys – Mwendwa
10 The Eagles Lupopo – Pelekani
11 Ndalani 77 Brothers – Nzaumi
12 Afro 70 – Afrousa (Move On)
13 Nairobi Matata Jazz – Tamba Tamba
14 Kiratu And His Group – Yanagiria Kayo
15 Afro 70 – Week End
16 The Mombasa Vikings – Kibe Kibe
