Category: African

George Mukabi was a guitarist from western Kenya credited with inventing the sukuti guitar style – a syncopated fingerstyle technique that combines rhythm and lead parts in a way that rhythmically imitates the sound of sukuti drums used in traditional Luhya music. His music was often accompanied by a glass bottle (or two) and sometimes by Jack Malenya, a second vocalist who harmonized in a higher register.

“Happiness with Guitar” seems an apt translation for this beautiful tune – but the lyrics discuss an apparent kidnapping of three girls and a subsequent death. The chorus somewhat ironically suggests “If you want to look for happiness – go and make friends with any guitarist” [translation from liner notes of Mississippi Records release noted below]

This record is not in the best shape but I was quite thrilled to get a copy.

Released as AGS 149 on the African Gramophone Stores (AGS) label.

To hear more of Mukabi’s work, check out Mississippi Records’s excellent release “Furaha Wenye Gita” produced by Cyrus Moussavi:
https://mississippirecords.bandcamp.com/album/furaha-wenye-gita

George Mukabi was a guitarist from western Kenya credited with inventing the Sukuti – or Omutibo – guitar style – a syncopated fingerstyle technique that combines rhythm and lead parts in a way that rhythmically imitates the sound of sukuti drums used in traditional Luhya music. His music was often accompanied by a glass bottle (or two) and sometimes by Jack Malenya, a second vocalist who harmonized in a higher register.

This seemingly wistful tune is instead a full-throated celebration of mothers – reminding men that their mothers carried them in her womb for nine months and gave birth to them.

This record is not in the best shape but I was quite thrilled to get a copy.

Released as AGS 149 on the African Gramophone Stores label.

To hear more of Mukabi’s work, check out Mississippi Records’s excellent release “Furaha Wenye Gita” produced by Cyrus Moussavi:
https://mississippirecords.bandcamp.com/album/furaha-wenye-gita

William Osale was a fingerstyle guitarist who performed and recorded in Kenya during the 1950s and 60s. Osale was a rural musician who played in the ‘sukuti’ style – a rhythmic style of finger-style playing invented by George Mukabi that results in a light, ‘bouncy’ sound.

In his “A History of Kenyan Guitar Music: 1945-1980”, John Low writes, “Some rural finger-stylists like George Mukabi and William Osale also had success in the towns, providing Swahili versions of songs that they might sing in local languages back home. The appeal of their songs lay in the fact that many town dwellers had (and still have) strong links with the land, and the themes of these songs, often conservative and sometimes nostalgic, reminded them of the old values.”

The title of this tune, “Usiowe Mumweche” seems difficult to translate. If any Swahili speakers can help translate the title or lyrics, please leave a comment!

I do not have a recording date for this record – but will add one if I find a definitive source. My best guess is sometime in the late 1950s.

Released as Jogoo 120.

The flip side of this record is very good and can be found at:
https://youtu.be/RYVzRr8Fz8M

William Osale was a fingerstyle guitarist who performed and recorded in Kenya during the 1950s and 60s. Osale was a rural musician who played in the ‘sukuti’ style – a rhythmic style of finger-style playing invented by George Mukabi that results in a light, ‘bouncy’ sound.

In his “A History of Kenyan Guitar Music: 1945-1980”, John Low writes, “Some rural finger-stylists like George Mukabi and William Osale also had success in the towns, providing Swahili versions of songs that they might sing in local languages back home. The appeal of their songs lay in the fact that many town dwellers had (and still have) strong links with the land, and the themes of these songs, often conservative and sometimes nostalgic, reminded them of the old values.”

The title of this tune, “Wazee Nimwambie” seems to be a plea for the elders to speak or to share their knowledge. If any Swahili speakers can help translate the lyrics, please leave a comment!

I find this record absolutely mesmerizing and hauntingly beautiful.

I do not have a recording date for this record – but will add one if I find a definitive source. My best guess is sometime in the late 1950s.

Released as Jogoo 120.

The flip side of this record can be heard at:
https://youtu.be/Hu8TPwOVkoI

Great music on the South African Troubadour label.

Recorded circa 1955-56
Released as Troubadour AFC.268
Matrix: MATA 1491

Great music on the South African Troubadour label.

Recorded circa 1955-56
Released as Troubador AFC.268
Matrix: MATA 1490