Here’s to peace and order in Kenya (and Zimbabwe, Sudan, Chad, DRC, etc…).
You might not want to download side two, the cassette sounds kind of fucked.
This tape was delivered to us by Josh K in DC.
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Side 1
Jangwa Kubwa
Mtoka Kwa Mawingo
Namibia
9 Comments
Join the discussion and tell us your opinion.
This tape was nothing like I expected it to be when I purchased it.. I was really hoping for some sweet acoustic guitar playing similar to my favs in Abana Be Nasery.
-j
“Jangwa” means desert or wilderness so “Jangwa Kudwa” means big wilderness/desert or something like that.
While the A-side is OK, the album name pretty much describes the B-side which is sad given that I was hoping that “Usiniambie unaenda” would turn out to be a tune that was a big hit in the 80s. This is just a (terrible) cover of the original though.
Keep ’em coming.
Hey, nice to be able to access some rare tapes, but how about the issue of rights and what do these artists gain from us downloading their music for free?
good question: these artists benefit from our attention, which they most likely would not have had without this blog. we simply would never have heard this music otherwise. now some of these very obscure artists have become names people who pay attention to african music recognize.
i don’t believe in selecting tracks, i think the albums speak for themselves and should be posted in their entirety. obviously if an artist has a problem with their music being heard far beyond the borders of their nations via this free mp3 blog, i would be more than happy to remove the post. i have had not a single complaint in the however-many-months (years?) i have been doing this blog.
i know from personal experience in a handful of african countries, most artists just wish for their music to be heard abroad. this blog aims to bring it to people off the beaten “world music” path, thereby expanding overall visibility and consciousness of africa and its music/musicians.
Still loving the fascinating music you are posting. Your blog is a lot more vaild than those that just rip off the latest Coldplay record and post it.
Also love your technical description of the sound quality on side 2, “kinda fucked”…. a career as a sound engineer beckons
Ha! thanks very much for that mr blister.
Good call on side 2 … but i had to listen anyway.
i think side 2 is AMAZING – ! the warble, lo-fi soundness just adds to the charm and weirdness of its beauty. and i am blown away by the music posted here – thanks!!
As you said, side 2 has problems, so after listening to the first three tracks, I went looking for this album on iTunes. Just bought it.
Thank you for a wonderful site.