A virtually unknown Kenyan guitarist and singer recording for a small Nairobi label. Little information can be found on either the artist or the label.
Guitarists like Okechi in Kenya were first inspired by Congolese fingerstyle guitarists such as Jean Mwenda Bosco. The Kenyan contribution to this style included the use of a second harmonizing vocal and glass bottle accompaniment. Fanta bottles were preferred due to their ribbed edging that could be scraped like a guiro.
The title, Kisa Wanalia, can be translated as “The Story They Are Crying About.”
The tuning of this one made it very difficult to pitch correctly – even more troublesome, the two different sides seem to have been recorded at different speeds.
Recorded in Nairobi, Kenya – probably in the late 1950s or early 1960s.
Released as Vedi’s VD 27.
Sammy Okechi – guitar and vocal
Unknown Artist – 2nd vocal, glass bottle
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