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a r t i s t :: Ayub Ogada
t i t l e :: En Mana Kuoyo
d a t e :: 1993-00-00
l a b e l :: Real World
g e n r e :: Ethnic
s o u r c e :: CD
b i t r a t e :: 720 kbps avg
e n c o d e r :: FLAC 1.3.1 -8 -V
t r a c k s :: 10
p l a y t i m e :: 39:57
s i z e :: 202.2MB
tracklist
1 Obiero 5:40
2 Dala 3:17
3 Wa Winjigo Ero 3:34
4 Thum Nyatiti 2:43
5 Kronkronhinko 3:24
6 Chiro 3:38
7 10% 4:05
8 Ondiek 4:05
9 Kothbiro 5:37
10 En Mana Kuoyo 3:54
releasenotes
Kenyan singer-songwriter Ayub Ogada was a busker on London's Northern Line
when he came to Real World's attention in the late 80s. And this 1993 set -his
only record for the label- proved that it was a meeting of minds, with his
disarmingly simple arrangements allowed to hang there unadorned, making a
lasting impression. Simply backing himself (albeit with virtuosic ease) on an
East African lyre called a nyatiti, this record introduced Ayub as a performer
of great charm, his warm vocals never leaving centre stage.
Since its initial release in 1993, En Mana Kuoyo has become the stuff of world
music legend. The album's ten songs present a spacious, acoustic side of
African music, one subtly imbued with modern sensibility. The production was
ahead of its time in its simplicity, and it made a sharp contrast with the
ever more elaborate, technically complex African music productions of its era.
The album's inclusion of collaborating artists from various countries
qualified it as part of a growing movement of hybrid world music. But for the
maestro himself, Ayub Ogada -who had already produced two "crossover" albums
in his native Kenya- the session was more about shedding foreign affectations.
It was an embrace of tradition that took him more profoundly into his African
past than anything he had done before.
"I sat outside," recalls Ayub. "I refused to record inside the studio. I
played a concert outside. It took three hours. Then, the next day, we called
the percussionist. The next day we called the guitarist. It took three days to
record that album." Though created quickly, En Mana Kuoyo had been years in
gestation.
"It was my life encapsulated," recalls Ayub. "A musician has to experience
life; that is when you write new music. I'm interested in making history. If I
do an album, it has to last." En Mana Kuoyo has passed that test. Its music
has been used in numerous film soundtracks and included on many music
compilations.
Ayub's principle instrument, the nyatiti lyre, is considered to be a woman.
"When you start to play this instrument, you practically get married," he once
said. "She won't like you to play another instrument. Suits me fine; I'm
happily married."
The nyatiti is used in spiritual practice and to sing historical praise songs.
But it can also accompany humorous Luo songs, peppered with puns and proverbs,
as well as songs delving into social realities. In short, it is a complete
package, so it is no surprise that Ayub remains faithful to it to this day.
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Ayub_Ogada-En_Mana_Kuoyo-(CDRW42)-KE-CD-FLAC-1993-k4