It has already been demonstrated in this day and age, don't underestimate anyone.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
One to watch...
I only smile when people dismiss her. It means they are underestimating her (which is a good thing.)
It has already been demonstrated in this day and age, don't underestimate anyone.
It has already been demonstrated in this day and age, don't underestimate anyone.
Video: Ray Comfort interview with 60 minutes
Ray Comfort was recently interviewed by ABC's New Zealand Station.
Video: Niyoki - "Joy"
O.K I had never heard of this artist until recently, but I'm liking her music...
Monday, March 30, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Mutinda - Matopeni Album Launch
Date: Friday, April 3rd 2009
Venue: Alliance Francaise
Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Price: Ksh400
Mtaa Mentality Album Launch
featuring Eric Wainaina, Kanjii, Astar, Michelle, Danco, Brian King, Weyenji, and Ciiru (on the album)
Date: Saturday, April 18th 2009
Venue: Mavuno Dome(Belle-Vue Drive Inn),Mombasa Rd Nairobi
Time: 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Price: Ksh300(Gate), Ksh200(Advance)
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Just A Band working on new album.
from their facebook
Just A Band - Back in the Studio!
Our house is abuzz once more - we're back in the studio to record our
second album - which will be titled 82. If you're wondering why it'll be called
82, it's because 1982 was an extremely good year. Sample this:
March
10th - Syzygy, all 9 planets aligned on the same side of the Sun.
July 6 -
the longest lunar eclipse of the 20th century occurs (umbral duration 236min).
August 17 - The first compact discs (CDs) are released to the public in
Germany.
September 19 - The first emoticons are posted by Scott Fahlman.
October 1 - Sony launches the first consumer compact disc player (model
CDP-101).
October 12 - The Double Stuff Oreo is first sold. Mmmmm.
November 30 - Michael Jackson releases Thriller, the biggest selling album
of all time.
December 4 - The People's Republic of China adopts its current
constitution.
Also, the three of us were born. :)
More on the
album as we go.
Previously: JAB "Scratch to Reveal" review
Video: P4CM Live Discussion
Here's new video from Passion 4 Christ Ministries. I know some may think these videos are "too radical" or even "offensive." But you have to learn to appreciate radical sometimes. Any basic reading of The Gospels shows that Jesus Himself was undeniably a "radical." Why do you think they were trying to and eventually succeeded in killing Him?
Description: This shirt is breaking the silence on a lifestyle that is growing in popularity. From Katy Perry's hit song," I Kissed A Girl", to the popular TV show, "Queer As Folk". Our culture tells us that it's perfectly fine to like both males and females, but the Bible has a totally different perspective.
Description: This shirt is breaking the silence on a lifestyle that is growing in popularity. From Katy Perry's hit song," I Kissed A Girl", to the popular TV show, "Queer As Folk". Our culture tells us that it's perfectly fine to like both males and females, but the Bible has a totally different perspective.
The Villagers Band - Bengenge 2009
Date: Thursday March 26th, 2009
Venue: Carnivore Simba Saloon, Langata Rd. Nairobi
Time: 8:00pm - 11:00pm
Price: Ksh 300
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Video: The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency (trailer)
Monday, March 23, 2009
Music Seen! Muthoni Ndonga - Mambo Bado
Mambo Bado is the debut album from Kenyan singer Muthoni Ndonga. Released in 2008 this short afro-fusion album seems to be an introductory piece to what Muthoni has in store for us later. And a commendable effort it is, even if it only contains three original songs(the last one is a remix.)
Starting off with “Cool Waters’ Muthoni makes her introduction on a powerful, heartfelt and might I add very relevant note. “Cool Waters” is a song any Kenyan that survived through the 2008 post election violence can relate to. Kenya was once largely known as a bastion of relative peace amidst an unstable and war ravaged continent. But after 2008 that image was completely shattered when a side most Kenyans never knew existed was unleashed. This left many Kenyans questioning themselves, their countrymen and of course their leaders. “Cool Waters” speaks specifically about Nairobi, a place named by the Maasai and which used to be a place of calm, and tranquility. A place where Maasai livestock could eat and quench their thirst in the cool waters of the Nairobi River. Nowadays it is a city overrun by crime, bad leaders, gangs, corruption and countless other ills. With a clear guitar lead and gentle drums in the back playing Muthoni creates a song that seems to be speaking about and longing for a time long past; when Nairobi was a calm and decent place to live. Even though to anyone who has lived in Nairobi the image of a city run by law and order may seem a mirage, the songs powerful calmness gives one reason to hope and dream for a better day for our city, and indeed our country.
“Ni Wega” is the second song on the disc and is a song done in traditional style. “Ni Wega” is a Kikuyu term that means “it is well” and the song is basically one of inspiration and gratitude through everything one goes through in life, whether good or bad. “Mambo Bado” the title track takes the short disc into a really upbeat mode. It is a celebration of love and optimism of better things yet to come if two people in love persevere and stay together. In an age where many young people thing commitment is old-fashioned the song may have something to say about sticking with someone through the thick and thin, the ups and downs of life. The final track is a reggae remix of “Cool Waters” which while not bad, was I feel an unnecessary addition to the album. Surely getting four original songs would not be too much too ask for a debut album? But Muthoni would probably tell me “mambo bado.”
KC blog rating:: 3.5/5 stars
“Muthoni has a strong conscious voice that she can use to speak to the youth. A good start”
50,000 hits!
Thankyou to all those who continue to visit the blog and keep me motivated to provide you with fresh, fun and most of all, wholesome Kenyan material. We have now reached 50,000 hits, something I didn't expect to see when I first began this blog. Thanks to all those who leave comments, and send me emails of encouragement and support. For those who have been hesitant to leave comments, please don't be, say whats on your mind and share you opinions(everyone has one.)
Here at ::KenyaChristian:: blog there are plans for bigger and better things in the near future. There is a website taking shape right now, so stay tuned because it will be something bigger and better than anything before, God willing.
As we mark this milestone, I'd like to get some feedback from all the readers. The outspoken ones, and also those who have been silent, now is your chance to speak up!
KenyaChristian blog would like to know:
-What do you like about the blog?
-What don't you like about the blog?
-What would you like to see in future?
- What would you like to see more or less of, whether its music, videos, articles, features, news etc?
So don't hesitate to leave a comment on the blog or email me at kenyachristian@live.com to share your views , and please keep visiting, because any news an updates will be here and nowhere else.
Enjoy!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Video: Bupe ft.Dee - Glorious
You may have noticed that the previous video may not have been working, well here is a re-up. Enjoy!
Previously: Bupe - "Glorious" audio
Previously: Bupe - "Glorious" audio
Monday, March 16, 2009
Video: Da TRUTH talks "The Big Picture"
One of my favorite artists Da' T.R.U.T.H speaks about his next album "The Big Picture" set for a July 14th release.
Previously: Da' TRUTH on BET
Previously: Da' TRUTH on BET
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Music Seen! Just A Band - Scratch to Reveal
Out of the left-field in 2008 emerged an electronic, slash funk, slash “local” group on the Kenyan music scene. If you have not heard of them by now they are just a band. No really, their name is Just A Band. But a typical Kenyan music group they are not! At a time when kapuka is almost becoming a dirty word (to me at least) Just-A-Band come as a welcome relief to the same old drab commercial urban songs and lyrics that have hyper-saturated Kenyan radio. With song after song saying virtually the same things ( parteh, katika, wika, ruka) one is really left wondering, are there any Kenyans who think outside the box and try to be daring? It is quite sad when one sees young musicians with so much talent and freedom; all copying each other just to have their song get spins on the radio.
I first saw Just-A-Band’s music early last year as I was checking out another website. When I first saw the video for “Maisha“ I wasn’t sure whether it was a Kenyan band. But when I checked out their other videos I was pleasantly surprised to find out it was Kenyans trying out new things musically. Let me just say from the outset that I enjoy electronic music. My favorites would have to be techno; dance, house and freestyle (remember that?). And with that stated you will realize I had no problem gravitating to and “getting” Just A Band’s music. Early on there were already quite a few nay-sayers declaring in typical Kenyan fashion that their music was “weird” or not Kenyan enough. “Where’s the Kenyan aspect?” was some of the criticism on Youtube and other sites. But if you’re like me you understand that music is universal and is all about expression. If I don’t feel like expressing myself through traditional styles (typically kapuka, genge or benga) why should I feel pressured to conform to make myself “more Kenyan?” It’s really attitudes like that, that suppress a lot of creativity. But thankfully people have started appreciating Just-A-Band’s creative independence and willingness not to conform (they already have lots of facebook fans, and have received rave reviews). Their star also seems to be quickly rising in music circles (within a year they have been in numerous articles, interviews and already got to play Goethe-Insitut.) All this attention is coming from the five videos they have released so far and their debut album. What sets their videos apart from so many other Kenyan videos is their creativity and originality. Watching their videos its clear they are truly an electronic band at heart. And that creativity is not limited to their videos only, but also to their album cover (it features a partially severed cyborg hand, now how many Kenyan album covers have you seen like that?), and of course their music. Released independently in 2008, their debut album “Scratch to Reveal” was a different direction altogether, and together with the aforementioned video made a silent but significant mark on the music scene. Scratch to Reveal is an album that is both just an opportunity to make good music, but also deals with the universal matters of love and relationships. Far from making the album cliché they put their own interesting take on that immortal subject.
It kicks of with “Fly” which takes the listeners on a musical space journey with its deep bass rhythm and kick drum, add some spacey sounds and echo’s and it makes for a simple but funky intergalactic journey. Right after that comes one of the more interesting songs on the album with “Oh Ndio” an ingenious remix of Five-Alive’s more than decade old song of the same name. I call it ingenuous because I feel a lot of Kenya’s early urban music period (around 1996-01) is being largely forgotten and I feel a lot of that music needs to be re-discovered and appreciated (see my side project), but more on that later. They use the songs chorus in interesting ways and turn out an enjoyable dance which though it won’t be filling the clubs, shows the creativity of the bands producers. It also does its job in peaking ones curiosity as to what’s in store for the rest of the album. J.A.B then goes a bit mellower with “Maro Pa More” a dholuo song which seems it would fit well on GidiMaji’s 1999 classic album Ismarwa. J.A.B also show the silly side of relationships with “Do You Mind?” where they seem to be saying that even the most sincere love relationships are not perfect with brutal lyrics like “I came to have fresh air but your breath is killing me” and “I need to read this book but you’re talking too much.”
I first saw Just-A-Band’s music early last year as I was checking out another website. When I first saw the video for “Maisha“ I wasn’t sure whether it was a Kenyan band. But when I checked out their other videos I was pleasantly surprised to find out it was Kenyans trying out new things musically. Let me just say from the outset that I enjoy electronic music. My favorites would have to be techno; dance, house and freestyle (remember that?). And with that stated you will realize I had no problem gravitating to and “getting” Just A Band’s music. Early on there were already quite a few nay-sayers declaring in typical Kenyan fashion that their music was “weird” or not Kenyan enough. “Where’s the Kenyan aspect?” was some of the criticism on Youtube and other sites. But if you’re like me you understand that music is universal and is all about expression. If I don’t feel like expressing myself through traditional styles (typically kapuka, genge or benga) why should I feel pressured to conform to make myself “more Kenyan?” It’s really attitudes like that, that suppress a lot of creativity. But thankfully people have started appreciating Just-A-Band’s creative independence and willingness not to conform (they already have lots of facebook fans, and have received rave reviews). Their star also seems to be quickly rising in music circles (within a year they have been in numerous articles, interviews and already got to play Goethe-Insitut.) All this attention is coming from the five videos they have released so far and their debut album. What sets their videos apart from so many other Kenyan videos is their creativity and originality. Watching their videos its clear they are truly an electronic band at heart. And that creativity is not limited to their videos only, but also to their album cover (it features a partially severed cyborg hand, now how many Kenyan album covers have you seen like that?), and of course their music. Released independently in 2008, their debut album “Scratch to Reveal” was a different direction altogether, and together with the aforementioned video made a silent but significant mark on the music scene. Scratch to Reveal is an album that is both just an opportunity to make good music, but also deals with the universal matters of love and relationships. Far from making the album cliché they put their own interesting take on that immortal subject.
It kicks of with “Fly” which takes the listeners on a musical space journey with its deep bass rhythm and kick drum, add some spacey sounds and echo’s and it makes for a simple but funky intergalactic journey. Right after that comes one of the more interesting songs on the album with “Oh Ndio” an ingenious remix of Five-Alive’s more than decade old song of the same name. I call it ingenuous because I feel a lot of Kenya’s early urban music period (around 1996-01) is being largely forgotten and I feel a lot of that music needs to be re-discovered and appreciated (see my side project), but more on that later. They use the songs chorus in interesting ways and turn out an enjoyable dance which though it won’t be filling the clubs, shows the creativity of the bands producers. It also does its job in peaking ones curiosity as to what’s in store for the rest of the album. J.A.B then goes a bit mellower with “Maro Pa More” a dholuo song which seems it would fit well on GidiMaji’s 1999 classic album Ismarwa. J.A.B also show the silly side of relationships with “Do You Mind?” where they seem to be saying that even the most sincere love relationships are not perfect with brutal lyrics like “I came to have fresh air but your breath is killing me” and “I need to read this book but you’re talking too much.”
The brightest moment on the disc has to be “Hey!” a declaration of love to a girl which features a lovely guitar and groove. It makes for a blissful mid-album song and reminds you of those moments you saw that exquisite creation of God, and you just felt like singing praises of their beauty. Getting a bit serious with love the beautifully composed and sparse song “If I Could” travels to the ends of the earth and back to prove itself to that special someone in your life, and a sincere track it is. Together with “Hey” my other favorite on the album is “Twende Kazi” a funky dance track with hints of kwaito in it that feels like a good weekend starter song after a long hard week at work, ironic I know, but maybe that was the intention. “Lights Music Stars” is a funky dance song which has a pounding bass track and all manner of effects flawlessly added to it. “Iwinyo Piny” is a song with one of those animation videos by Just-A-Band you should check out. The trance type song does not have a lot of thrills and tricks, but different it is. The album then closes with “Beba Na Finje” a track where you can see the bands influences include british group Jamiroquai (one of my all time favorite bands).
With Scratch to Reveal Just-A-Band took a daring step in exploring modern musical styles with a Kenyan twist, but it is evident they took their time in crafting it and made sure their finished product left little room for criticism on quality and creativity. While their debut album may not be a chart-topper I believe those who haven’t caught on will look back and see it as an important Kenyan album. Scratch to Reveal is a silent but heard point in Kenyan music. One where a group of musicians was willing to look outside the box and daring enough to explore the musical universe, with our without ”the Kenyan aspect.”
KC blog rating: 4.5/5
KC blog rating: 4.5/5
“While not a perfect album, a well crafted and important one.Classic”
Friday, March 13, 2009
Groove Awards 2009
Date: Saturday April 25th 2009
Venue: KICC Tsavo Ballroom
Time: 2PM onwards
Description:
The annual Groove Awards is the premier and the most quoted Gospel award ceremony in Kenya.
Aim:To Promote, Expose and Celebrate the talent in the Gospel music industry.
Download entry form here
Click here for more info
Monday, March 09, 2009
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Meet the Kenyan in America's Next Top Model
Here is an interview with Sandra Nyanchoka, one of the 12 finalists chosen to appear in Tyra Bank's hit show America's Next Top Model. Those who win this show go on to become world class supermodels.
If you are in America, you can catch the show which began airing on the CW Network, Wednesdays @ 8ET/7C. Go Sandra, Go Kenya!
If you are in America, you can catch the show which began airing on the CW Network, Wednesdays @ 8ET/7C. Go Sandra, Go Kenya!
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Monday, March 02, 2009
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