Rough Guide Kenya
Various Artists
Reviews
Fo
Reviewed 2004-05-13
Reviewed 2004-05-13
ROUGH GUIDE TO MUSIC OF KENYA
World Music Network, 2004
This entry in the massive Rough Guide series focuses on various strains of pop music from Kenya.
Benga (1,4,9,11) is the sort of upbeat, lyrical, guitar-based style that every African nation seems to have. Taarab (5,10) brings in some folksy Indian Ocean influences, and is equal parts desert nomad and subcontinent. It’s popular in the Swahili/Islamic coastal communities. Hiphop and R&B (2,3) are big with the younger generation.
But don’t ignore the other tracks, which are some of the strongest on the disc. This is a great collection with something for everyone.
Fo's picks: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12
1. 5:10 – cute: uptempo, lilting, almost bubblegum-pop feel, girlish voc
2. 4:26 – straight-up dance music: good rapping, 80's r&b synths
3. 3:16 – soulful melody with nice loops & good beat, sweet fem vocal
4. 4:00 – perky beat and very good guitars, simple vocal
5. 4:02 – lively rhythm, with croaky vocal, accordion, an island feel
6. 6:33 – excellent! trad instruments w/ a modern beat, nice duet vox
7. 7:50 – happy afro-rumba, very nice reverb guitar, group vox, horns
8. 4:31 – very cool! Male vocal sextet sings over fast drumming
9. 7:21 – raw recording: sparkly guitars and harsh group vocals
10. 4:43 – good caravan rhythm and harmonium, plaintive fem vocal
11. 5:11 – midtempo, steady, pleasant, second half a bit livelier
12. 8:20 – creaky trad fiddles, flutes, hand drums, male group vocal
[ Fo ] – 05/13/2004
World Music Network, 2004
This entry in the massive Rough Guide series focuses on various strains of pop music from Kenya.
Benga (1,4,9,11) is the sort of upbeat, lyrical, guitar-based style that every African nation seems to have. Taarab (5,10) brings in some folksy Indian Ocean influences, and is equal parts desert nomad and subcontinent. It’s popular in the Swahili/Islamic coastal communities. Hiphop and R&B (2,3) are big with the younger generation.
But don’t ignore the other tracks, which are some of the strongest on the disc. This is a great collection with something for everyone.
Fo's picks: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12
1. 5:10 – cute: uptempo, lilting, almost bubblegum-pop feel, girlish voc
2. 4:26 – straight-up dance music: good rapping, 80's r&b synths
3. 3:16 – soulful melody with nice loops & good beat, sweet fem vocal
4. 4:00 – perky beat and very good guitars, simple vocal
5. 4:02 – lively rhythm, with croaky vocal, accordion, an island feel
6. 6:33 – excellent! trad instruments w/ a modern beat, nice duet vox
7. 7:50 – happy afro-rumba, very nice reverb guitar, group vox, horns
8. 4:31 – very cool! Male vocal sextet sings over fast drumming
9. 7:21 – raw recording: sparkly guitars and harsh group vocals
10. 4:43 – good caravan rhythm and harmonium, plaintive fem vocal
11. 5:11 – midtempo, steady, pleasant, second half a bit livelier
12. 8:20 – creaky trad fiddles, flutes, hand drums, male group vocal
[ Fo ] – 05/13/2004
Recent airplay
Ting Badi Malo, Tweta, Mama Sofi Pt. 2
Afro Beats — Jan 23, 2012
Muhogo
Memory Select — May 27, 2010
Kisumu 100
At the Cafe Bohemian — Mar 08, 2005
Mama Sofi Pt. 2
At the Cafe Bohemian — Jun 22, 2004
Tweta
Ridden by The Airwaves — Jun 18, 2004
Chereko
No Cover, No Minimum — Jun 18, 2004
Charting
2004-05-17 — 2004-07-19
Reggae/World
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Jun 27 | 1 |
| Jun 20 | 2 |
| Jun 6 | 3 |
| May 30 | 2 |
| May 23 | 1 |
Track listing
| 1. | Nduraga Ngweteriere | ||
| 2. | Ting Badi Malo | ||
| 3. | Chereko | ||
| 4. | Mama Sofi Pt. 2 | ||
| 5. | Muhogo | ||
| 6. | Kisumu 100 | ||
| 7. | Hasidi Hana Sababu | ||
| 8. | Yamala | ||
| 9. | Beatrice #4 | ||
| 10. | Tweta | ||
| 11. | Mama Sofi Pt. 1 | ||
| 12. | Obura Jabilo |