These two CDs provide an excellent introduction to Kenya's various styles, although not always the best or most representative material from the artists. Highlights on Guitar Paradise include the classic hit "Shauri Yako" by Super Mazembe as well as Kabaselleh Ochieng's "Achi Maria." On Kenya Dance Mania are some Kenyan favorites of the 70s and 80s including Les Wanyika's "Sina Makosa" and Maroon Commandos' "Charonyi Ni Wasi."
This is an excellent introduction to the music of Kenya and Tanzania. It samples traditional and popular music, including taarab from the coastal region. Kenyan artists include Simba Wanyika (of Tanzanian origin), Victoria Kings, D.O. Misiani and Shirati Jazz, Abana ba Nasery, Henry Makobi, Ogwang Lelo Okoth with Paddy J. Onono, and Zein Musical Party. The CD notes are edited from articles by Werner Graebner and Douglas Paterson contained in the Rough Guide to World Music.
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I think this is a great compilation of Kenyan music from the mid-1980s but--perhaps I'm biased. They're all my selections, favorites of mine from the mid-1980s that I compiled and licensed for Rounder Records. The emphasis is on the regional benga styles: Luo, Kikuyu, Kamba, and Luhya, as well as a couple of urban dance tunes. The CD notes (which I wrote) are extensive (dare I say, excellent).
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At first glance, the title and "touristy" photographs on the cover would be enough to turn away any serious collector of East African music. In fact, it's quite a good collection of (largely) 1970s Kenyan and Tanzanian music. The mix is totally eclectic with the Conglolese dance sounds of Super Mazembe (with "Kasongo" and "Shauri Yako") and Bopol Mansiamina, taarab music of the coast, Tanzanian dance music from Afro 70 and Western Jazz, not to mention one of Miriam Makeba's best versions of the Swahili song, "Malaika."
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Before Benga Vol. 1: Kenya
Dry, Original Music OMCD 021
Before Benga Vol. 2: The Nairobi Sound, Original
Music OMCD 022
Both the acoustic collection on Kenya Dry and the electric Nairobi Sound provide an excellent cross-section of guitar music from the 1950s to the 1970s. These are styles which have largely disappeared.
The Secret Museum of Mankind:
Music of East Africa
Ethnic Music Classics: 1925-48,
Yazoo
7015
This is a collection of 25 recordings made between 1925 and 1948 from present day Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, and Congo.
Order: The Secret Museum of Mankind, Music of East Africa from Amazon.com
Top Hits from Kenya, GEFRACO KL 0100
As the title says, this is a compilation of top hits from Kenya. Unfortunately, what it doesn't say is that these hits represent a very narrow segment of the Kenyan market: tourist music. This CD does not present the broader pop music spectrum in Kenya. The artists are unnamed but most of them are/were actively working in tourist entertainment at the Kenya coast. I don't want to suggest that Kenyans don't enjoy this music too, but for the most part, it has an international pop sound quite different from what most Kenyan bands are playing. Tourists who have experienced the beach hotels and their music may find this CD taking them right back to the beach (or the Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi). Others, interested in a cross-section of Kenyan pop, might prefer one of the other CDs listed in this section.See the Top Hits from Kenya CD page for more details about the songs and performers.
To contact Douglas Paterson, send email to
DPaterson@aol.com
Last updated December 30, 1999.
