Kenya music reviews
Music reviews for "Kenya" sorted by average review score:
Kenya: Afro-Cuban Jazz
Released in Audio CD by Blue Note Records (25 January, 2000)
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Artist: Machito
Tracks:
- Wild Jungle
- Congo Mulence
- Kenya
- Oyeme
- Holiday
- Cannonology
- Frenzy
- Blues A La Machito
- Conversation
- Tin Tin Deo
- Minot Rama
- Tururato
Frank Raul Grillo, also known as Machito, was the leader of The Afro-Cubans, a fiery definitive Latin-jazz big band. Not only did they sport a topnotch percussion section, featuring Candido Camero, Jose Mangual, and Uba Nieto, but they worked the arrangements of Mario Bauza, the father of modern Afro-Hispanic jazz in the U.S. This outstanding album, recorded in 1957, the same year that Tito Puente cut his historic Top Percussion sessions and Israel "Cachao" Lopez laid down his influential descargas. Named in honor the African country, Kenya, with pianist Rene Hernandez and A.K. Salim contributing compositions and arrangements, swings with the ancestral anthems that fueled the best Afro-inspired dances. "Wild Jungle" is a roaring rumba capped by special guest Doc Cheatham's zesty trumpet solo. The title track is an elegant Palladium-style lullaby graced by tenor saxophonist Ray Santoz's Lester Young lilt, and the Florida-born Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's Charlie Parker-like alto-sax riffs fly on "Oyeme," with another American, trumpeter Joe Newman. On the bata-drum-driven blues "Congo Mulence," Adderley and Newman create inspired solos off of the clave, highlighting the wonderful Afro-American and Afro-Cuban musical language Machito spoke and swung so well. --Eugene Holley, Jr.
Average review score: 
A "MUST HAVE" MACHITO CD !! 
League of the Extraordinary
Released in Audio CD by Varese Sarabande (02 December, 2003)
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Artist: Geoffrey Alexander
Tracks:
- Dawn of a New Century
- Kenya- Wait for Me [#] - Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Task Requires Heroes
- Promenade by the Sea
- Nautilus - Sword of the Ocean
- Game Is On
- Old Tiger
- Capturing Mr Hyde
- Mina Harker's Secret
- Phantom's Lair
- Portrait of Dorian Gray
- Treachery
- Storming the Fortress
- May This New Century Be Yours
- Son of Africa [#] - Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Average review score: 
Dark ScoreWith "Dawn of a New Century" we are quickly emersed into Trevor Jones' dark world of LXG. There are no sweeping moments, no comical, slap-stick moments. Just dark, heavy percussion and low brass grunts. I like it but it gets difficult to listen through the entire album.
The only "soothing" song on this album is "Promenade by the Sea". Its a nice, opera-like song and once its done, that's it. Back to the dark score.
The non-score songs, well, I wish they weren't there but its a way to distract the listener from the dark, gothic sounds. Avoid this if you're looking for something thematic, Elfmanish or similar to Last of the Mohicans.
The only "soothing" song on this album is "Promenade by the Sea". Its a nice, opera-like song and once its done, that's it. Back to the dark score.
The non-score songs, well, I wish they weren't there but its a way to distract the listener from the dark, gothic sounds. Avoid this if you're looking for something thematic, Elfmanish or similar to Last of the Mohicans.
Mambo Jambo
Released in Audio CD by Arc Music (26 June, 2001)
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Artist: Safari Sound Band
Tracks:
- Jambo Jambo
- Simba
- Kala Mashaka
- Hinde
- Pole Pole
- Nakupenda Wewe
- Chakacha
- Binti
- Mamake Asiya
- Watoto
- Mambo Jambo
- Mama Sofia
- Pole Musa
- Malaika
Average review score:
A bit cheesy but funThis album often sells in the Nairobi airport for an outrageous 15-20 USD. WHile it is a good album, it is not a 20 USD album... It's popular especially because of the first track- Jambo Jambo.
While the song is a bit cheesy- it is really fun to listen to and can bring back many memories of Kenya- as it is repeatedly sung in Kenyan bars and other places. Other songs on the album- Watoto and Nakupenda Wewe are also enjoyable to listen to. It's a fun album, and a good gift for someone who has been to Kenya. I often give it to friends who have returned and it's quite appreciated.
I would say the Safari band does not represent the best of Kenyan Music, but it is a album with tracks that are laid down well, and songs that stay in your head. Overall a good listen.
While the song is a bit cheesy- it is really fun to listen to and can bring back many memories of Kenya- as it is repeatedly sung in Kenyan bars and other places. Other songs on the album- Watoto and Nakupenda Wewe are also enjoyable to listen to. It's a fun album, and a good gift for someone who has been to Kenya. I often give it to friends who have returned and it's quite appreciated.
I would say the Safari band does not represent the best of Kenyan Music, but it is a album with tracks that are laid down well, and songs that stay in your head. Overall a good listen.
Kenya Ya Africa Theatre Group
Released in Audio CD by Sony (23 March, 2000)
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Artist: Sadao Watanabe and Inter-African
Tracks:
Kenya's Vernacular Songs
Released in Audio CD by Kahoro Wa Kibochi/Karlus Trapp (25 November, 2003)
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Artist: Kahoro Wa Kibochi/Trapp
Tracks:
Kenya/Cadence Mudanda
Released in Audio CD by Sonodisc (08 March, 1994)
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Artist: M'Bilia Bel
Tracks:
Kickin' Kikuyu Style
Released in Audio CD by Sam Chege (10 September, 2002)
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Artist: Sam Chege
Tracks:
Luo Roots: Musical Currents from Western Kenya
Released in Audio CD by Globe Style (13 December, 1995)
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Artist: Various Artists
Tracks:
- Jadiyana Mageno
- Jacob Omolo - Ogwang Lelo Okoth, Paddy J. Onono
- Nath Oindo
- Lando Nyajomere - Kapere Jazz Band, Ogwang Lelo Okoth
- Amagy Lando
- Tuni Nyamwalo
- John Wangu - Ogwang Lelo Okoth, Paddy J. Onono
- Samwel Adinda
- Amisi Jamoko - Kapere Jazz Band, Ogwang Lelo Okoth
- Akinyi Nyagi
- Lynette - Paddy J. Onono,
Mambo Jambo
Released in Audio CD by Arc (26 June, 2001)
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Artist: Safari Sound Band
Tracks:
- Jambo Jambo
- Simba
- Kala Mashaka
- Hinde
- Pole Pole
- Nakupenda Wewe
- Chakacha
- Binti
- Mamake Asiya
- Watoto
- Mambo Jambo
- Mama Sofia
- Pole Musa
- Malaika
Mombasa Moom
Released in Audio CD by Delta (21 September, 1999)
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Artist: Safari Sound Band
Tracks:
- Love Peace & Happiness
- Jambo Jambo
- Chakacha
- Simba
- Pole Pole
- Welcome Home
- Kenya Safari
- Coconut
- Mombasa Moon
- Malaika
- Pole Musa
- Lala Salama
AWESOME big band arrangements by pianist Rene Hernandez and A.K. Salim! Doc Cheatham in the Trumpet section, Julian "Cannonball" Adderley plays a KILLER Be-Bop alto-sax! And of course the percussion mastery of 'Candido Camero', 'Jose Mangual', and 'Ubaldo Nieto'
The beauty of the Kenya sessions is that they were done in 1957... when hard Bop and Afro-Cuban ruled! This CD for under $7.00 is a steal! Rated 10 stars! **********