Various Kenya Special

9/10 Zammy Customer review, 13th September 2014

Another Soundway compilation means another gold mine of funky beats and Afro rhythms. This time it is recordings from Kenya (I would also recommend checking out the Nigeria and Ghana Special LPs) made in the 1970s/80s. I'm not sure where to begin with such a rich and varied compilation but some things to loosely expect are Afro-jazz, psychedelic grooves and straight up Afro-pop.

The packaging is beautiful- over 3 records (plus a bonus 7") with extensive linear notes plotting out the complex and fascinating (and previously unknown to me) story of Kenyan 'alternative' music, juxtaposed with images of the coolest looking people you've ever seen. I've had this on most days for the past 6 months and feel that I've barely skimmed the surface of this colossal history lesson of fantastic music.