Issa
Juma & Super Wanyika Stars
"World
Defeats The Grandfathers - Swinging Swahili Rumba 1982-1986"
For
nearly thirty years, the "Wanyika" bands dominated Nairobi’s
nightclubs and recording industry.
Their music was propelled by light percussion and made sweet with a delicate
interplay between rhythm and solo guitars. The sound was sparse, but a rich bass
filled the gaps and on top were catchy melodies sung in a Swahili that could be
easily understood across East Africa.
This
was the defining sound of Kenyan Swahili rumba in the late 70s and early 80s, and Issa Juma was a pivotal figure in both
creating and giving it new directions. His powerful baritone voice was
indisputably the best of the Wanyika clan and, constantly experimenting, his
style could change with each producer and session.
Carefully
re-mastered, full-length recordings that include bona fide hits alongside rare, never-before-released tracks, this album
is a long-overdue homage to a brilliant vocalist and band-leader, an innovative
and accomplished musician who today is sadly missed.
No comments:
Post a Comment