V/A - Kenya Special - 3LP

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.

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

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