https://soundcloud.com/djzhao/ngoma-classic-3-mega-benga
The climate in Nairobi is cool and perfect all year round, despite being on the equator, due to its high altitude; my recent trip there was awesome. The East African Rumba sound is also often cooler, sans the fiery horn sections of Congolese Soukous. The focus here is on a reduced palette of rhythmic guitar and vocal refrains over driving, insistent 4 on the floor kicks. The motorik, hypnotic motifs and modular progression of this original minimalist dance music is from 1950s to 1980s, and i play it in the seamless style of techno.
There is a lot more going on here than the predominantly Luo popular style known as Benga, but also golden classics from the Kikuyu, Kamba, Luhya, and other tribes of Kenya. Grooves so sweet they ache the heart as they move the feet… Sounds difficult if not impossible to find outside of East Africa.
a little African warmth and sweetness for the cold harsh European winter...
more info and tracklist here.
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