Recording Resources Page
…d ethnomusicologists. However, it has taken us time to really work out the best processes for working effectively out in the field. With that in mind, we have created some resources for other groups to use for working in the field. Please feel free to use the below resources for your field trips in whatever region you are based, and please do reach out to us. We love to meet others who are passionate about music in their own region! Village Visit…
Day 1 – Saturday 1st July 2017 Story
…tive interview with John Otieno ‘Rapasa’, a young nyatiti player based in Nairobi, yet from Alego area (Siaya County), who was a part of our team as a fixer and translator. The main objective of this semi‐interview was to define, at least, approximatively, the different stages of nyatiti making before arrival to the field in order to plan on filming economically. According to what was explained by Rapasa, who also makes the instruments, we identif…
Singing Wells Stories Page
…formance, one of the pieces ‘Ywak’ – a funeral song has featured on every ‘Best of’ Singing Wells compilation to date. It was with great sadness that we learnt after returning to the UK that Okumu K’Orengo had died, just weeks after we had recorded him – a tragic story that underlines the mission behind the Singing Wells project and the aims we have to record music in East Africa. To visit the group page for the Nyatiti group click here: Nyatiti G…
Day 4 – Tuesday 4th July 2017 Story
…’o Omenda, the maker we interviewed on the first day in the region, for repairs, since he considers him the best. According to Owit, there are no traditional taboos as to who can play the nyatiti, neither in generational nor in gender terms. He mentioned teaching two ladies how to play approximately 15 years ago. His teaching method is as follows: he plays as the student observes, then he’s hands the instrument to him/her to try out. He also comme…
Support Singing Wells Page
…ll also send you a copy of our beautiful Singing Wells commemorative photo book, a full album of the ‘Best of Singing Wells’ and a Singing Wells t-shirt. We will also bring you a unique gift back from the field visit – a traditional, hand made musical instrument typical of the region. Donate £3000 and Sponsor a Recording Day CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW * Please note: donations are made to the Abubilla Music Foundation, our registered charity which fu…
Singing Wells Sampler 2011 – 2013 Album
This is a special sampler album put together, which contains some of the best recordings and tracks we have made as part of the project. It includes field recordings, influences recordings made in the field, influences recordings made in the Ketebul studio in Nairobi and a special collaborative effort between Abubilla Music and some of the musicians recorded by The Singing Wells project.
Day Five: Ilesi, Khayega to Kisumu Story
…s are welded into metal pouches and then he plays. Moses is considered the best Shikhorli maker in the area. Here’s the band. Their songs included: Mukhana Mulabu: This is about a brown girl, that is whiter than most the girls in the village. Isimbiilalila: This is a bullfighting song. Balina Wanje Ndiranga: This is a song about being tired and in a bad state. Mama Mulai: Rosie: This is praising a lady named Rosie. Influences: Fadhilee than joined…
Martin Fredrick Muyeshi Staff Profile
…Media Services’ Citizen TV where he worked on the TV programmes Tabasamu, Nairobi Law andMashtakaas a Director of Photography and a Lighting technician. He later joined Ketebul Studio, where he went on to work on several studio projects, among them the studio’scompilation “retracing” series that include Retracing Benga Music, Retracing Kikuyu Popular Music, Retracing Kenya’s Funk Music, Retracing Songs of Protest and the book Shades Of Benga: Th…
Conclusion: Challenges and Recomendations Story
…as shot in 11 days, which included master classes and a studio session in Nairobi. Considering the ambitious amount of information we wished to gather from each interviewee (as per the original concept) and the accompanying demonstration, it would be advisable for the recording schedule to focus on one individual ‐ one instrument maker per day only. Also, possibilities of postponed sessions and cancellation, technical or other difficulties that ma…
Winyo Staff Profile
…usical style ranges from traditional Luo melodies infused with witty story lines, afro fusion and afro jazz, to a contemporary interpretation of Benga, transformed into an authentic acoustic sound. His powerful yet mellow vocals are the icing on the cake that makes listening to Winyo an almost heavenly experience. Winyo is also a professional photographer, actor and a TV producer. He is currently the executive video producer for a Kenyan media com…
Here for the Music? Page
If you are here to experience some of the very best music East Africa has to offer then you are in the right place. For some of our stories, videos and the chance to listen to some of our Singing Wells Albums, head to the links below. Stories Read some of our most memorable stories from the field, featuring stunning photography taken by our team. Learn more about the communities we meet, the instruments that are being played and the background s…
Day Zero: 6 March 2022 – Travel To Stream Story
…ians via M-pesa and Pay-Pal contributions. Another possibility was to sell tickets with the use of online access codes that admit ticket holders into the virtual performance. The result was that a number of live streaming studios where performers book sessions to perform and stream their concerts sprung up in Nairobi. Some venues also adapted to hosting online performances, directly streaming shows to mobile devices and computers of audiences wher…
Global Influences Project: Loop Library Page
…hat you need to know as you listen is the drummer was drumming without a chair, doing deep squats and jumping about a foot off the ground with each ‘kick’ – this went on for four minutes. You can learn more about the group here. You can watch the full visual performance of this song on our Youtube channel by clicking here. Download the loop singingwells · SW Samples – Ohangla Drum Solo 146BPM singingwells · SW Samples – Rubanga Kingdom Awach Boys…
Otieno Aloka Group
Otieno Aloka is a musician best known in Kenya for his hit song ‘Kanungo Eteko’. In our session with the Ohangla group he plays the orutu, the second major instrument of Luo music. The orutu consists of a hollow wooden box that has monitor lizard skin stretched over one side. The string used to be made from fibers of the sisal plants but is now made from a variety of repurposed materials, including bicycle brake cables. When played with a bow, or…
Shitakha & Balozi Band Group
…a shaker/bell, where two ball bearings of different sizes/tones are welded into metal pouches and then he plays. Moses is considered the best Shikhorli maker in the area. Here’s the band….
Imachina Group
…difficult to find, but is a strong bird. The song tells the story that the best fighting bulls are not the ones preening around the village, but rather they keep to themselves until the fight. And then they win. The Shiselelo procession – this is for weddings. The songs include: Hoya: This is encouraging the groom to forward and be welcome. Mbabo: This is about everyone coming together for the wedding. Khuchende Pole: This song is telling everyone…