Rough Guide To The Music Of Kenya Roots Benga, Coastal Taarab, Urban Rap (2004)

"No one's going to deny that the music of Kenya can be complex, drawing from many sources, but this compilation successfully and credibly reduces it to four main elements; the home-grown, guitar and bass-driven benga sound, East African rhumba, which takes its inspiration from Congolese rhumba, the coastal Islamic taarab music, and some newer material which offers ideas ranging from updates of traditions to hip-hop. For Western listeners, the benga pieces are possibly the easiest on the ear, pulsing and rhythmic, with elastic basslines that curiously recall South Africa. It's infectious and very danceable. There's only one example of the rhumba style. Taarab is far more hypnotic, inflected with Arab and even Indian modes. Uniquely Swahili, it's most evident on the coast and in Zanzibar. Thankfully, a good portion of this CD is reserved for younger artists who are leading the way into the future. The excellent liner notes are succinct and straightforward, offering full explanations and background." (Allmusic)

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