Kenya Special : Volume Two [Soundway Records]

Released in 2013, Soundway’s first Kenya Special compilation was for many a first introduction to the sound of Kenya in the 1970s and ’80s. Three years later and Soundway will return to the streets of Nairobi and Mombassa for a second compilation of rare East African recordings, again from the same fruitful period. (via TheVinylFactory)

Despite the renewed interest in music from Kenya’s past, finding these tracks and their rights holders hasn’t become any easier. Only a handful of music archives around the world harbour collections of Kenyan music, and just a few private collectors in Kenya and abroad have been sharing catalogue info online or privately. One of the problems with East African music of this era is that much of it was originally released only on 45 rpm, seven-inch vinyl singles, many of which were only ever produced in tiny runs of a few hundred. 45s with their thin, paper sleeves do not age as well as LPs and are often far more susceptible to the elements.

As always with Soundway releases Kenya 2 comes with extensive liner notes, photo’s and artwork from each 45. Vinyl is housed in a gatefold sleeve. 

Kenya Special: Vol 2 is out 7th October on Soundway – order from their website.

Listen the album and follow our playlist #AlbumOfTheWeek on SPOTIFY / DEEZER !