Another Souvenir

As a follow-up to the last post, here is another ukumbusho (souvenir) from another great exponent of Muziki wa Dansi, Tanzania's International Orchestra Safari Sound.

IOSS was formed in 1985 when businessman Hugo Kisima dissolved his group the Orchestra Safari Sound, and recruited six members of Mlimani Park Orchestra to form a new orchestra. IOSS & Mlimani were considered the two top rivals for leadership of the Tanzanian music scene for a time but for some reason Kisima dissolved IOSS in the early '90s. Confusingly, at one point Ndala Kasheba briefly revived the "old" Orchestra Safari Sound, and there may have been two factions of the International Orchestra Safari Sound, the IOSS (Ndekule) and IOSS (Duku Duku).

Shukrani kwa Mjomba (Ahadi/Flatim MSCAS 513) is credited to the International Orchestra Safari Sound (Ndekule), and as usual with Ahadi/Flatim releases provides no recording information other than a track-listing. As "Chatu Mkali" on the cassette inexplicably cuts off in the middle of the song, I've used the version from the CD Musiki wa Dansi: Afropop Hits from Tanzania (Africassette AC 9403, 1995), which is still in print and available here. Enjoy!

International Orchestra Safari Sound - Shukrani Kwa Mjomba

International Orchestra Safari Sound - Shida

International Orchestra Safari Sound - Pendo

International Orchestra Safari Sound - Majuto

International Orchestra Safari Sound - Kaka Kinyongoli

International Orchestra Safari Sound - Chatu Mkali

Download Shukrani Kwa Mjomba as a zipped file here. More IOSS here. The batik at the top of this post is taken from this website.

A Tanzanian Souvenir

Orchestra Vijana Jazz, one of Tanzania's top dance bands, was founded in 1971 under the sponsorship of Umoja wa Vijana Tanzania, then the Youth League of the ruling Tanzania African National Union (TANU). Over the last couple of decades as the Tanzanian economy has "liberalized" I suspect Vijana has had to make its own way. It quite possibly may not exist anymore. The Orchestra has undergone numerous personnel changes over the years, notably the death of vocalist Hemed Maneti, who wrote some of the band's most memorable tunes like "Mary Maria" and "Tambiko la Pamba Moto."

"Ukumbusho" literally translates as "reminder" but it probably more closely means "souvenir" or "in memoriam." The cassette Ukumbusho: Hayati Hemed Maneti (Ahadi/Flatim MSKCAS 514) was apparently issued to commemorate the life of Vijana's beloved lead singer. As usual for an Ahadi/Flatim production the sound quality is not up to snuff. Musically it's memorable indeed.

Orchestra Vijana Jazz - Jiko Limenuna

Orchestra Vijana Jazz - Najilaumu

Orchestra Vijana Jazz - Nilitaka Iwe Siri

Orchestra Vijana Jazz - Unikubalie

Orchestra Vijana Jazz - Ndoa Ni Kuvumiliana

Orchestra Vijana Jazz - Madaraka Kwenye Bar

Download Ukumbusho as a zipped file here. More Vijana Jazz on Likembe here, and you can find another great cassette by them here.

PREVIEW - FREE Afrikan Boy gig at Rich Mix - THIS WEDNESDAY 3rd March

Vibrant young Afrobeat MC Afrikan Boy is bringing his unique urban sound to the Rich Mix Arts Centre in Shoreditch for a FREE showcase as part of the vinspired Lake of Stars residency. The second in the series of Priceless Live events at Rich Mix, the night will also feature a live acoustic set from hotly tipped songstress Valentina and DJ sets from Sinden (KISS) and Ross Allen (ministryofsound.com, The Meltdown), who graced the Lake of Stars stage in Malawi in 2009.

Originally from Nigeria, Afrikan Boy, aka 20-year-old Shola Ajose, grew up in south London, and has been carving a name for himself on the grime/Afrobeat scene as a fusion MC from the age of 16.

His influences range from British-based performers such as Kano, Wiley and Dizzee Rascal to Nigerian artists including Sir Shina Peters, Fela and King Sunny Ade, and Shola prefers not to pigeon-hole his style. Under the moniker Afrikan Boy, he concentrates on using his music to elevate his fellow African people. His funny, yet critical, approach to thorny political topics such as immigration and visa problems has won him a rapidly-growing international fan base.



Afrikan Boy released his first official music video for Lagos Town in January to huge acclaim. He is currently in the studio recording a hotly anticipated debut album, 1444 Musik, building on the success of tracks from his mixtape, Can of Whoopass, Vol. 1: The Rise of Captain Africa.


Shola believes in ploughing his own furrow, using his own and his family’s experience to inspire his music. His offbeat lyrical stylings capture the essence of real life behind the violence stereotypically associated with the London grime scene, and his confident wordplay and assured stage presence make him one to watch in 2010.


While studying for a Psychology degree at Brunel University, Shola has also found time to open for Prince’s back-to-back shows at London’s O2 in 2007, and tour with the likes of M.I.A. Afrikan Boy also appears on a remix of M.IA.’s hit single Paper Planes, and collaborated on her 2007 album Kala.

The vinspired Lake of Stars monthly residency at the Rich Mix Arts Centre in Shoreditch was launched in February by Andreya Triana (Ninja Tune) and Nick Mulvey (Portico Quartet). Festival founder Will Jameson says:

“Our residency is an exciting opportunity for us to stage free quality live events in the heart of Shoreditch, giving people a small glimpse of what our festival is all about. We are going to be booking some of the brightest talent of 2010 - and obviously in these cash-strapped times the price is right too!”


Event details: vinspired Lake of Stars presents: Afrikan Boy
With support from Valentina (live acoustic set), Sinden (KISS) and Ross Allen (ministryofsound.com, The Meltdown)
Wednesday 3rd March FREE ENTRY @ Rich Mix Arts Centre 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA.

PREVIEW - FREE Afrikan Boy gig at Rich Mix - THIS WEDNESDAY 3rd March

Vibrant young Afrobeat MC Afrikan Boy is bringing his unique urban sound to the Rich Mix Arts Centre in Shoreditch for a FREE showcase as part of the vinspired Lake of Stars residency. The second in the series of Priceless Live events at Rich Mix, the night will also feature a live acoustic set from hotly tipped songstress Valentina and DJ sets from Sinden (KISS) and Ross Allen (ministryofsound.com, The Meltdown), who graced the Lake of Stars stage in Malawi in 2009.

Originally from Nigeria, Afrikan Boy, aka 20-year-old Shola Ajose, grew up in south London, and has been carving a name for himself on the grime/Afrobeat scene as a fusion MC from the age of 16.

His influences range from British-based performers such as Kano, Wiley and Dizzee Rascal to Nigerian artists including Sir Shina Peters, Fela and King Sunny Ade, and Shola prefers not to pigeon-hole his style. Under the moniker Afrikan Boy, he concentrates on using his music to elevate his fellow African people. His funny, yet critical, approach to thorny political topics such as immigration and visa problems has won him a rapidly-growing international fan base.



Afrikan Boy released his first official music video for Lagos Town in January to huge acclaim. He is currently in the studio recording a hotly anticipated debut album, 1444 Musik, building on the success of tracks from his mixtape, Can of Whoopass, Vol. 1: The Rise of Captain Africa.


Shola believes in ploughing his own furrow, using his own and his family’s experience to inspire his music. His offbeat lyrical stylings capture the essence of real life behind the violence stereotypically associated with the London grime scene, and his confident wordplay and assured stage presence make him one to watch in 2010.


While studying for a Psychology degree at Brunel University, Shola has also found time to open for Prince’s back-to-back shows at London’s O2 in 2007, and tour with the likes of M.I.A. Afrikan Boy also appears on a remix of M.IA.’s hit single Paper Planes, and collaborated on her 2007 album Kala.

The vinspired Lake of Stars monthly residency at the Rich Mix Arts Centre in Shoreditch was launched in February by Andreya Triana (Ninja Tune) and Nick Mulvey (Portico Quartet). Festival founder Will Jameson says:

“Our residency is an exciting opportunity for us to stage free quality live events in the heart of Shoreditch, giving people a small glimpse of what our festival is all about. We are going to be booking some of the brightest talent of 2010 - and obviously in these cash-strapped times the price is right too!”


Event details: vinspired Lake of Stars presents: Afrikan Boy
With support from Valentina (live acoustic set), Sinden (KISS) and Ross Allen (ministryofsound.com, The Meltdown)
Wednesday 3rd March FREE ENTRY @ Rich Mix Arts Centre 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA.

Volunteering for Stardom

Ahead the second installment of vinspired Lake of Stars' monthly residency at London's Rich Mix on Wednesday March 3rd, three young journalists review last month's opening night...

Lake of Stars is an annual music festival in Malawi funded by vinspired, an organisation set up to connect young people with volunteering opportunities. On the 3rd February 2010, the vinspired Lake of Stars Malawi Music Festival came to the Rich Mix venue in East London with a night of music from various genres. It was a full house of soul and African vibes and culture. Headliners reporters went along to take in the attractions and interview some of the evening’s performers.

Music was not the event’s only attraction, the night hosted stalls for fashion and charity, a showcase of Malawi’s best. As the first of its kind to be held in London, the headliner of the night Andreya Triana took to the stage with her sultry soul voice and her guitarist.

Kicking the night off was up and coming musician Nick Mulvey, entertaining the crowd with his acoustic guitar and infusion of African music. As well as being an eminent solo artist, Nick is also a quarter of the four piece modern jazz band Portico Quartet.

With him being so heavily influenced by Malawian and other African music he expressed how touched he was to be a part of the event, “it’s always been of interest to me. I always thought every year, I’d love to get in there and do some work. I’d love to go there and at least be involved with organising it. Then they got in touch with me. I met so many good people and plus it was a lovely holiday”.

Having volunteered with various organisations himself, Nick also stressed how important he felt it was for young people to volunteer their time, “I think it’s great. It’s really important as a young person to be a part of something bigger than yourself. There’s just so much you can learn from being proactive and being a part of a big opportunity, it’s really important. You got to get involved”.

For some on the night, the event was something much closer to their heart. Being a Malawian native, Kimba, the MC on the night, expressed why the event was such a hit with him. Kimba took time out to speak to us about his music and involvement with Lake of Stars, expressing the passion he has for both his country and music.

Q: What is the inspiration for your music?

A: I like being part of a band, I could never be a solo artist; I like that vibe of working when everyone has something to bring to the table. Sometimes someone will say I have a concept or idea, I’ve got a bit of music do you think you could write something. Mostly I’m alone in my room writing stuff (laughs).

Q: What are your feelings on the work that vinspired have been doing with the Lake of Stars projects like the Malawi Music festivals?

A: I have been excited and passionate from the beginning, because I’ve felt that it is such a killer idea. Here there are so many festivals like Glastonbury but in Malawi it is the only one of its kind so when it’s on it really is the place to be. For me it has always been the question of how I can assist whether musically or even socially, that’s my passion to use my talents to do some good.

Q: Have you been involved with any other projects and what do you aim to achieve with the Lake of Stars project?

A: I have mostly been involved with music but I couldn’t do what I wanted to do back home because of the facilities out there, Malawi really is not catered for the music industry. I am looking to help rectify that with the Lake of Stars project. I want to start a music development initiative back home, with something as simple as facilitating music instruments just anything to help the music scene.

Q: Do you think it is important for young people to get into volunteering

A: Definitely, because this is just one great example of what you can do with volunteering, the idea of volunteering is a bit dated to some people but there is actually a lot you can do that is not only beneficial to a cause but also interesting.

This story was produced by Chika Ekemezie, 19, Tajha Myer-Ferreira, 18 and Mikhail Casalis, 16 from Headliners, a journalism programme for young people aged eight to 19. www.headliners.org

If you are 16-25 and would like to volunteer, find opportunities on vinspired.com

Volunteering for Stardom

Ahead the second installment of vinspired Lake of Stars' monthly residency at London's Rich Mix on Wednesday March 3rd, three young journalists review last month's opening night...

Lake of Stars is an annual music festival in Malawi funded by vinspired, an organisation set up to connect young people with volunteering opportunities. On the 3rd February 2010, the vinspired Lake of Stars Malawi Music Festival came to the Rich Mix venue in East London with a night of music from various genres. It was a full house of soul and African vibes and culture. Headliners reporters went along to take in the attractions and interview some of the evening’s performers.

Music was not the event’s only attraction, the night hosted stalls for fashion and charity, a showcase of Malawi’s best. As the first of its kind to be held in London, the headliner of the night Andreya Triana took to the stage with her sultry soul voice and her guitarist.

Kicking the night off was up and coming musician Nick Mulvey, entertaining the crowd with his acoustic guitar and infusion of African music. As well as being an eminent solo artist, Nick is also a quarter of the four piece modern jazz band Portico Quartet.

With him being so heavily influenced by Malawian and other African music he expressed how touched he was to be a part of the event, “it’s always been of interest to me. I always thought every year, I’d love to get in there and do some work. I’d love to go there and at least be involved with organising it. Then they got in touch with me. I met so many good people and plus it was a lovely holiday”.

Having volunteered with various organisations himself, Nick also stressed how important he felt it was for young people to volunteer their time, “I think it’s great. It’s really important as a young person to be a part of something bigger than yourself. There’s just so much you can learn from being proactive and being a part of a big opportunity, it’s really important. You got to get involved”.

For some on the night, the event was something much closer to their heart. Being a Malawian native, Kimba, the MC on the night, expressed why the event was such a hit with him. Kimba took time out to speak to us about his music and involvement with Lake of Stars, expressing the passion he has for both his country and music.

Q: What is the inspiration for your music?

A: I like being part of a band, I could never be a solo artist; I like that vibe of working when everyone has something to bring to the table. Sometimes someone will say I have a concept or idea, I’ve got a bit of music do you think you could write something. Mostly I’m alone in my room writing stuff (laughs).

Q: What are your feelings on the work that vinspired have been doing with the Lake of Stars projects like the Malawi Music festivals?

A: I have been excited and passionate from the beginning, because I’ve felt that it is such a killer idea. Here there are so many festivals like Glastonbury but in Malawi it is the only one of its kind so when it’s on it really is the place to be. For me it has always been the question of how I can assist whether musically or even socially, that’s my passion to use my talents to do some good.

Q: Have you been involved with any other projects and what do you aim to achieve with the Lake of Stars project?

A: I have mostly been involved with music but I couldn’t do what I wanted to do back home because of the facilities out there, Malawi really is not catered for the music industry. I am looking to help rectify that with the Lake of Stars project. I want to start a music development initiative back home, with something as simple as facilitating music instruments just anything to help the music scene.

Q: Do you think it is important for young people to get into volunteering

A: Definitely, because this is just one great example of what you can do with volunteering, the idea of volunteering is a bit dated to some people but there is actually a lot you can do that is not only beneficial to a cause but also interesting.

This story was produced by Chika Ekemezie, 19, Tajha Myer-Ferreira, 18 and Mikhail Casalis, 16 from Headliners, a journalism programme for young people aged eight to 19. www.headliners.org

If you are 16-25 and would like to volunteer, find opportunities on vinspired.com

An Ethiopian Pearl

I suspect Mahmoud Ahmed needs no introduction here - he's arguably Ethiopia's best-known musician thanks to his momentous recording Era Mela Mela and other classics. He continues to tour internationally and record music at a prolific rate. Previously I posted his 1992 cassette Live in Addis Ababa. Here's Tezzetta Enqu (Ethio Music Shop), another one from 1991 or 1992. Although the cassette states 1984 as the issue date, I believe that is according to the Ethiopian calendar.

Andreas Wetter of Humboldt University in Berlin has very kindly transliterated the Ge'ez liner notes for us. Andreas writes, ". . . I tried to translate them but some of the translations may be too literal, i.e. there may be meanings or readings I am not aware of. But you can't find these things in dictionaries. I once started to translate a list of old song titles with an Ethiopian friend and it became quickly apparent that many of the translations are quite tricky. . ." Andreas translates the title of the cassette as "Tizzita - The Pearl" or "Jewel," and further writes, ". . . Tizzita is one of the four tuning styles of Amharic music, and, by the way, the most used one in modern popular music. Mahmud Ahmed is said to be one of the best interpreters of this type of song. "

As usual, I've included the original inlay card at the bottom of this post.

"She Has It:"

Mahmoud Ahmed - Allat Nägär

"Oh Her Tears:"

Mahmoud Ahmed - Erri Embwa

"Appearing Abruptly:"

Mahmoud Ahmed - Zäww Zäww

"Let Me Live With It:"

Mahmoud Ahmed - Lenurebbät

"Kochämbi Kärsädi/Alämäna" is in two different Gurage languages, Soddo and Säbat Bet (Mahmoud Ahmed is a Gurage), and Andreas was unable to translate it:

Mahmoud Ahmed - Kochämbi Kärsädi (Soddo)/Alämäna (Säbat Bet)

"Come (down) From the Highlands:"

Mahmoud Ahmed - Näy Kädägaw

"How Should I Forget Her:"

Mahmoud Ahmed - Endet Lersat

"Come (to a woman) on a Horse:"

Mahmoud Ahmed - Näy Bäfäräs

"Who Can it Be?:"

Mahmoud Ahmed - Man Yehon

"It (or he) Was:"

Mahmoud Ahmed - Näbbär

You can download Tezzetta Enqu as a zipped file here.