Music From Northern Kenya to Feature On This Album

The 5th volume of the album Spotlight On Kenyan Music is set to be released this coming Friday, 15th June 2012 at an event that will see all the featured artistes perform their music.

The CD, which will feature music from not less than 10 Kenyan communities with a general focus on cultures to the Northern section of the country. Artistes to be featured include the Liban Troupe from Isiolo, Lmetili Generation representing the Samburu, the Oromo Group from Moyale, Longori from Loiyangalani, Bonaya Doti Konso representing the Borana and the Dassnach from Ileret.

The launch of the volume, which will take place at the Alliance Francaise in downtown Nairobi, follows an extensive collection of indigenious music that the French institution has undertaken, with financial support from the Embassy of France and Total Kenya.

The previous volumes featured Kenyan music from about all the eight provinces and is under an EU initiative, entitled “Vital Voices and Culture: Increasing People Participation in Good Governance and Development”. The Ministry of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs is also actively taking part in the implementation of the project.

Local musicians had to be called by provincial and district cultural officers as the team toured major towns in the country including Embu, Garissa and Machakos. In total, about 44 musicians showcased their work which had to be judged and shortlisted by some of Kenya’s leadin artistes in a panel which included John Katana, Suzanna Owiyo, Iddi Achieng, Tabu Osusa and Achieng Abura.