Various Artists - Crossroads Kenya: East African Benga and Rumba, 1980-1985

Format: 12" Vinyl
Catalogue No.: NWS15
Barcode: 5050580788794
Release Date: 08 Jul 2022
Genre: African / Benga

01. Wanja Ni Wakwa — New Gatanga Boys
02. Arata Rekai Njuge — Ruwengo Bros Band
03. Palipo Na Maneno — Les Moto Moto
04. Bella Idhi Kanye — Les Victoria 'C' Kings
05. Rakeri Mama — Banana Hill Band
06. Kwa Wasiojiweza — Orch. Les Volcano
07. Ima — Orch. Zaituken Band

This compilation collects a number of 7" singles produced by Audio Productions Ltd. in Kenya's capital Nairobi in the first half of the 1980s and released on the Wendo, Lulus, Mlima and APL imprints. The bands featured on this release are the New Gatanga Boys, Ruwengo Bros Band, Banana Hill Band and Les Victoria 'C' Kings from Kenya, Les Moto Moto and Orch Les Volcano from Tanzania (the latter being led here by Charles Ray Kasembe after the death of the legendary Mbaraka Mwinshehe). The closing track is by Orch Zaituken Band, whose name is a contraction of the countries its members came from: Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo), Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. The group is emblematic of the Kenyan capital's role as a magnet for East African musicians seeking to earn a living by recording and playing live in the 1970s and 1980s.

No Wahala Sounds are proud to bring you this latest collection of rare 45s from the golden era of benga and rumba, which have never been released outside Kenya before.