Heavy Combination 1966 - 2007
A crucial introduction to the ‘King of Kikuyu Benga’! Afro essential!

Heavy Combination 1966 - 2007

Joseph Kamaru

€ 37,95
  • 2 x LP
Label
Disciples
Expected release
31 October 2025
PRE-ORDER ITEM: This item will only be shipped to you on or after 31 October 2025. Please note any orders containing pre-order items won't be shipped until all items are available, so please order this separately to avoid delays. Release dates are at the mercy of labels, distributor, and pressing plants and will change constantly.

PICK-UP AT SHOP / FREE SHIPPING FOR ORDERS WITHIN BELGIUM AND EXCEEDING €100 (FYI: we notice delays at Bpost which are out of our hands, if you want to be a 100% sure about delivery date, best choose pick-up) / Shipping costs are dependent on various factors and are calculated in your shopping cart. Add this item to your cart to see the shipping cost. Or pick up your order at our store in Ghent.

Description

17 tracks that run the gamut from vibrant dancefloor chants with high life-esque guitars, to afro funk, drum machine and keyboard driven disco grooves, and folk style laments. The music is raw, immediate, danceable, and packed full of memorable hooks. The incisive lyrics range from protest songs to relationship advice. Joseph Kamaru was an incredibly popular figure in his native Kenya, connecting with everyone from high-powered politicians to the rural and urban working class, and his music deserves a much wider international audience. 

Compiled by his grandson, the sound artist KMRU, in partnership with Disciples, the tracks have been carefully remastered from original tape transfers by Dubplates & Mastering in Berlin. Sleeve designed by Karolina Kołodziej using original archive material from the Kamaru family vaults. Extensive liner notes include essays by Kenyan academic Maina wa Mũtonya, music journalist Megan Iacobini de Fazio, and KMRU himself. 

Tracklist

A

  • 1.Kenya Kũrũngara (1977)
  • 2.Ke Wapendane (1977) 
  • 3.Kwandĩkwo Ti Gũciarwo (1976) 
  • 4.Gari La Trela (1982) with City Sound Band 
  • 5.Wa Mwene Nĩ Ũmwe (1976) 

B

  • 1.Njohi Ndĩrĩ Mwarimũ (1966) 
  • 2.Karolina (1982) with Kamaru Super Stars
  • 3.Ngũnĩa Ngũrũ (1985) with Kamaru Mixed Grill and Kamaru Super Stars 
  • 4.Kĩmiiri (2007)

C

  • 1.Ikĩhanda Mũnyũgĩ (1988)
  • 2.Chunga Rũrĩmĩ (1989) with City Sound Band
  • 3.Rĩrĩa Mũgũtwenja (1975) with City Sound Band
  • 4.J.M. Kariũki (1975) with Kamaru Celina Band
  • 5.Ndari Ya Mwarimũ Pt. 2 (1969)

D

  • 1.Mũhiki Wa Mikosi (1988)
  • 2.Andũ A Madaraka (1969)
  • 3.Nĩ Kĩrume (2007)

Videos

You might also like

Shopping bag