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. TRACK LIST SIDE 1 A1: The Loi-Toki-Tok - Ware - Wa A2: Slim Ali & The Famous Hodi Boys - Watoto Nyara A3: Orchestre Baba National - Sweet Sweet Mbombo SIDE 2 B1: Gatanga Boys Band - Wendo Ti Mbia B2: Hafusa Abasi & Slim Ali with The Yahoos Band - Sina Raha B3: Nashil Pichen & The Eagles Lupopo - Ng'ong'a Wa Mwanjalo B4: Nairobi Matata Jazz - Tamba Tamba SIDE 3 C1: The Lulus Band - Ngwendeire Guita C2: Mbiri Young Stars - Ndiri Ndanogio Niwe C3: The Lulus Band - Nana C4: Afro 70 - Week End SIDE 4 D1: The Rift Valley Brothers - Mu-Africa D2: DO 7 Band - H.O. Ochiri D3: Afro '70 - Cha-Umheja D4: Peter Tsotsi Juma & The Eagles Lupopo - Kajo Golo - Weka SIDE 5 E1: New Gatanga Sound - Thonia Ni Caki E2: Sophia Ben & The Eagles Lupopo - See Serere E3: Kalambya Boys -Kivelenge E4: The Loi-Toki-Tok Band - Leta Ngoma SIDE 6 F1: Huruma Boys Band - Theresia F2: Orchestre Veve Star - Nitarudia F3: The Mombasa Vikings - Mama Matotoya Bonus 7 inch: A. Mutumia Muriu - The Lulus Band B. Nzaumi - Ndalani 77 Brothers Download only Extras: Tiga Kurira - The Rift Valley Brothers Keep Change Kairitu - Gatanga Boys Band Afrousa (Move On) - Afro 70 The Famous Nyahururu Boys - Mwendwa Kibe Kibe - The Mombasa Vikings Pelekani - The Eagles Lupopo Yanagiria Kayo - Kiratu And His Group Mngeni Mali Yare Yore - Orchestre Super Volcano