Different sounds from Kenya

by Daniel Brown

Article published on the 2009-11-13 Latest update 2009-11-17 16:23 TU

The Penya Africa label, representing groups like Just a Band, Dela, Sauti Sol and Muthoni the Drummer Queen, was one of the surprises at this year’s Womex trade fair in October. It was a stark contrast to the traditional Kenyan ensemble Kenge Kenge, which ironically reflects the very stereotypes Penya Africa are fighting.

Penya Africa’s director Robert Wawero and European market producer Marko Roca founded the label in February 2009. The Nairobi label has literally stormed onto the music scene thanks to artists or groups like Just a Band, Dela, Sauti Sol and Muthoni the Drummer Queen.

Penya Kenya was born of a long-term exchange between local musicians and producers and the Dutch NGO Up to You Too. The label’s cutting edge and militant approach were being displayed at the October 2009 World Music Expo in Denmark.

The fifteenth Womex – the annual meeting of world music professionals from round the globe - mixed the good, the bad and the ugly, and Penya was definitely in the first category.

By a strange twist of fate, a group that many be put in the last category was also from Kenya: Kenge Kenge is not articulating much more than a sterile version of the remarkable Luo sounds that gave birth to benga music.

Bandleader George Achieng is a sprightly youngster from a tough part of Nairobi. In Copenhagen, he had trouble describing the Luo and Lilanga roots from Lake Victoria that nourished the music of giants like Daniel Owino Mesiani.

His showcase might have had energy and a certain fluidity born of over 15 years of international experience, but Kenge Kenge never gave the impression of being more than a hotel lobby group for safari tourists ... lightyears away from the sounds Penya Africa are promoting.

Quiz of the week:
What Penya Africa group was victim of death threats after one of its songs was broadcast on Kenyan radio? The answer is in the programme.

You are invited to listen to it and send your answers to [e-mail].

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