The Rift Valley Brothers - Mu Africa (Kenya Special) by Soundway Records published on 2013-04-15T15:08:20Z 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. Genre World Comment by Jack Rowland Towett woooooow 2022-12-24T02:14:40Z Comment by Ecoutes au vert Groovy!!! 2021-05-27T19:21:54Z Comment by makuma I slept for 7 years and only heard this in 2020 - incredible! 2020-06-09T16:40:39Z Comment by musicwithoutborders oooh yeah!! 2019-11-16T16:22:24Z Comment by David Muriithi Killer tuuuune. Brings back memories of my childhood. THANK YOU!! 2016-07-18T06:00:16Z Comment by Aschenputtel imWunderland nzuri sana :D 2015-04-29T14:18:15Z Comment by unknown_menace very nice tune 2014-03-02T11:35:01Z Comment by Chris Marshall-Dowe Tune is ruff 2013-12-23T21:15:33Z Comment by Maria Beleza RaRa Bless this music! 2013-09-22T15:09:36Z Comment by Deivis Rodolfo Monterroza deivi africa 2013-09-12T01:35:27Z Comment by Greenisthe HAHAHAHAHA :D 2013-07-20T06:46:51Z Comment by Greenisthe HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ; )-~ 2013-07-20T06:43:03Z Comment by UnicornianaColibría GO AFRIKAAAAA 2013-05-30T15:58:01Z Comment by Buenavibra Dj all right broddas! keep on moving! 2013-05-17T19:41:09Z Comment by lazy-t can't get enough of this 2013-05-13T10:50:44Z Comment by E.p Made This (Mufasa) Yeah yeah yeah love this feeling man much bless 2013-05-08T16:32:59Z Comment by TZUC marfa de lux! 2013-05-03T17:57:27Z Comment by Don Plok sabor! 2013-05-03T03:29:53Z Comment by D+D_Mx-Jp This is gorgeous! 2013-05-01T07:18:38Z Comment by Sharon Stallwotth nice luving it 2013-04-28T20:24:21Z Comment by Lucas Posada just lovely! 2013-04-27T01:14:41Z Comment by Dirk Griffin Oh, HELL YES!! 2013-04-26T00:59:33Z Comment by UsedRobot great stuff. 2013-04-23T14:13:53Z Comment by njukey Daaaamn! Love it. Thats some Kikuyu funk! 2013-04-22T17:30:02Z Comment by transglobal Great Stuff....! Would like to introduce it in my Radioshow TRANSGLOBAL EXPRESS 2013-04-20T12:52:21Z Comment by Cutzconessiuer James Brown live from the motherland. I dig it. nice sound. 2013-04-19T22:17:49Z Comment by Carlos Farje Muy bueba 2013-04-19T05:45:03Z Comment by sidartez awesome! 2013-04-19T00:01:41Z Comment by doctor D Asante! Love the music. Lived in Dar es salaam in the 70's. 2013-04-18T22:39:30Z Comment by saravanaganeshmd nice 2013-04-18T19:41:21Z