Changanya cover

Changanya

Released

Nairobian multi-instrumentalist and singer Nabalayo is part of a crop of young artists exploring Kenya’s folkloric tradition (she recently participated in the KMRU curated Insha). Her debut album Changanya acts as a sort of manifesto for the genre of music she pioneered, and is a hauntingly beautiful collection of 12 short stories, based on the traditions of the Bajuni, Giriama, Gusii, and Kikuyu people of Kenya and on her own experiences as a young Nairobian. Incredibly entirely self-produced, the album is carried by Nabalayo’s sharp, clear voice,  interwoven with intricate percussion and a variety of traditional Kenyan instruments. A sort of Björk meets Kenyan folklore. Nabalayo’s interest in the musical traditions of Kenya shines through the album, and the way she combines them, often in one song,  is a reflection of Nairobi’s rich and varied cultural tapestry. In “Macheo” for example she sings in Swahili,  samples verses from a Giriama folk song, includes a type of Kikuyu percussion, uses a drum machine to recreate the Luyha rhythms, and plays the twanging notes of an Obokano, a giant lyre of the Abagusii. A seriously underrated album.

Megan Iacobini de Fazio

Suggestions
Life Stories cover

Life Stories

Ebo Taylor
New Ancient Strings cover

New Ancient Strings

Toumani Diabaté, Ballaké Sissoko
Weekend Special cover

Weekend Special

Brenda & the Big Dudes
Memeza cover

Memeza

Brenda Fassie
Beyanga cover

Beyanga

M'Bilia Bel, L'Afrisa International
Luyando cover

Luyando

Mokoomba
Francophonic cover

Francophonic

Franco, Orchestre T.P.O.K. Jazz
I.K. Dairo (MBE) & His Blue Spot Band cover

I.K. Dairo (MBE) & His Blue Spot Band

I.K. Dairo & His Blue Spots
Phases cover

Phases

Moonchild Sanelly