Yvonne Chaka Chaka – Umqombothi (GetMziki Throwback ***)
I woke up today listening to some really old African Music, I think once in a while you need to get in touch with classic African oldies. I grew up to some interesting array of African music, in fact I particularly want to spend a month next year to digitize some of my Dads Vinyl and audio tapes because listening to Tabu Ley today is too too nostalgic.
However for today I wanted to share one of the biggest songs of our time. Yvonne Chaka Chaka Umqombothi. Looking at Yvonne she always reminds me of Catherine Kasavuli. And the two of them still look hella fine to date. This is one track I know a gang of DJs have been asking me about and have been wanting to get their hands on. Well here goes. Enjoy!
listen to Umqombothi here:
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download the track here:
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DJ Mpenzi – African Express (GetMziki Exclusive)
image courtesy of DJ Mpenzi and GetMziki
It seems we are going to have a MIXTAPE week so let me go ahead and bless GetMziki with someone rarely spoken, critically unacclaimed talented Kenyan DJ. His name is rarely mentioned in the Kenyan (East African) Circles yet he commands the respect and attention many lose DJs get within the community. DJ Mpenzi who also happens to be a good friend and business partner is a soft spoken dude whose politeness can be mistaken for inexperience. But I tell Mkonu all the time, you don’t need to play for Kenyans or East Africans to be respected – something he has learned to adopt and blend into his day to day career which flourishes just well without the Kenyan market at large.
DJ Mpenzi has been holding down the Bay area for years, even before I got here – funny enough I am yet to see him hold a Kenyan gig in the region despite his experience. Young cats like DJ Slim and DJ Johnny run things in the Bay from a Kenyan perspective – but no one comes close to commanding the Jungu/Black Market like DJ Mpenzi. Which is funny coz his whole brand and image speaks Kenya – his logo has the Kenyan Flag so its always fascinating to see his name and logo on club flyers and then come to realize that there will be no Genge playing just adds to the mystique behind Mpenzi.
Either way dont get it twisted! the man knows his roots (NOT GENGE though) he he he. Trust me, that will be the day. I love Mkonu coz he understands where Africa needs to be and plays these tunes for the Jungu market stone face. The reaction of the crowd speaks for itself whenever the Coupe decale drops and the Soukous, I respect any DJ who can kick dancehall and then flip it to Africa – because you are not only entertaining the crowd but you are educating them on the roots of their music. To me thats mission accomplished. Thats why I couldnt hold back but yank this mix that he made for some Charity organization he helps out – I felt the mix needed a home elsewhere including the Nuru International events.
But before I over talk his skill or expertise – please be blessed with this African Express, this is the type of mix I keep asking all these other Kenyan DJs to pull off but none has come close to. The only other guy who has impressed me in African mixes is DJXP – to date I am yet to hear someone else.
listen to the mix here:
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download the mix here:
Please right click here and hit save target as
Track list:
Intro
Ambiance – Tina Spencer
Mets Lui – Discounty Dj
Frottez Frottez – Tina Spencer & Dj Arafat
La Medaille Du Merite – Tina Spencer & Dj Arafat
Let Me Love You – Bunny Mack
Medley B – Sokous Stars
A Nous a Victoire – Atti
Guantanamo – Dj Zidane
Zouke En Decalant – Tv 5 Feat. Claudy Star
Famille Dj – Dj Kitoko
Femmes – Dj Arafat
Mastiboulance – Lino Versace & Boro Sanguy
Bouger Bouger – Magic System
C Cho Ca Brule – Magic System Feat. Cheb Bilal
Moyibi – Pepe Kalle & Nyboma
Nairobi Night – Sokous Stars
Sai – Kanda Bongoman
Grippe Ariaire – Dj Lewis
Lagos Night/Sweet Mother – Sokous Stars
Outro
Madilu System – Ako
I am probably the worst or the least expected to post this song here simply because I am sort of a late boomer when it comes to Lingala music. But funny enough I grew up to parents who adored lingala and probably attended all concerts that took place in Nairobi. One person I know my Dad was into was this cat called Madilu System. Madilu was part of that whole TP-OK Jazz movement with akina Franco Luambo Makiadi. And although both these legends are gone today (with Madilu passing away sometime in 2007) I feel as though a lot of these music and genre will transcend generations to come.
I personally call these tunes African Blues (Blues is such a Kenyan term for R&B or old school Motown slow grooving tunes)… but hey it is what it is.. enjoy this rare grooves on a chilly Tuesday. Although I hear in Nairobi the SUN brought out its relatives this week… Enjoy the sun to this AKO track
listen to Ako here:
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download the song here:
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My Land is Kenya – DJ Challenge
Roger Whittaker’s – My Land is Kenya
Over the last few months we have been trying to consolidate a bunch of remixes that DJ Edu (BBC1 Extra) makes for his popular hit show called DNA (Destination Africa). DJ Edu by far is one of the few DJ’s ive learned to respect and appreciate his work. He has a unique way of blending local African tunes with Western vocals or instrumentals to make it look like these two artists and producers were in the same studio at the same time. (I will upload the best of DJ Edu at some point this month.
The only other DJ I think who can hack this feat better than Edu is a guy called Steve Kintu – DJ Mista Prime who currently is in Kenya and runs a hit TV show called Xtreem Music Video. Kintu is by far the best DJ Kenya has – but most people would say my opinion is biased.
This morning, Kimathi (Jamhuri Wear) wanted me to throw a challenge to our users, he sent me this track that he thought would be a perfect opportunity for any DJ to showcase his prowess. This is a classic 1982 hit track performed by Roger Whittaker which was to commemorate his birth land and the country he always felt he belonged to. To many people this track may have lost its soul – but I think its time for a DJ out there to put this track back on the map… Other interesting tracks from Roger Whittaker include “I am Back” and “come with me” although he has albums full of reminiscent hits.
listen to the track here:
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Good Luck, we will post all submissions in a few weeks… ps. DJ EDU cannot participate and neither can DJ Prime*
Also a good example of a good execution (Coup De Cale – in the Club Mix) which is on the post below this one.
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Mombasa Roots – Mama Leo (Mlee Mtoto wangu)
You’d be suprised at the number of Junguz who go to see this band perform in Mombasa. However you would be more suprised at the number of Junguz who buy this album off Rhapsody and or Emusic. Most tourist come back to the US/UK and look for the classic sounds of the sweet serenading music they listened to as they ate dinner as they cruised on the boat and so forth. Lucky enough Kelele Records did a good job to ensure their artists tunes are available online somewhere.
Mombasa Roots is an old band – Although they too have no website for me to get more information from, atleast I found some resources for any interested people to purchase their album from.
listen to the song here:
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download the song here:
Forest Band – Harusi
Bonge la nyimbo la Harusi… Truthfully I have no information about Forest Band, apart from the fact that they are a Mombasa based band. This track is called Harusi. You can tell from the drums and the tempo that its a classic bara track. If anyone has more information about this band please feel free to leave comments about the group. I thought it would be nice to share some classic track that you can play infront of your folks when they come visiting.
listen to the song here:
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download the song here:
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Safari Sound Band – ChakaCha
Bembea eee Bembea eee.. Bembea Mtoto.. These are the classic sounds of Chakacha… (I think this is Safari Sounds – most of these tracks were redone by the Safari Sounds) I cant seem to get the original clips to any of these oldies. But I think this is some good quality stuff I managed to get my hands on. If you are even in Mombasa and touring the city – in any given case at any hotel or street show, they would probably be jamming to one of these songs… Enjoy the Zilizopendwa Edition of GetMziki.
listen to the song here
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Zilizopendwa – Mercy Myra : Tie Dero
Every once in a while we like to put a song out there that is not necessarily old, but was released a while back. This was Bruce Odhiambo’s first Urban track. I’ve had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Bruce in Kenya and in the US combined, I must say he is probably one of the coolest people i’ve been privileged to know in my time. Dude is too humble, but the jaluo in him still prevails… he he he but do I say… Still rolls in his 1984 BENZ (refuses to sell it ha ha ha).
Bruce honestly i miss friday evenings at your crib, Biriyani fridays – Cant get that kind of treatment in the US no where, kwanza with the economy this bad. Waiiii…
When Mercy put the vocals to this track, it was magic – I wish mercy would just put out even one track, even if its a teaser!!! This was probably Mercy’s biggest hit – all Jangos go crazy when they hear this track, but thats until Achieng Abura showed up and ofcourse Tony Nyadundo (that’s one of my favorite artists too, the guy can play 4 horus straight non stop). Anyway this album is available online, you can support Bruice Odhiambo by purchasing this classic album here >>
download the song here:
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