Womad

Kenge Kenge Orutu Systems

Returning Kenyan music to its exhilarating roots

In the language of Kenya's Luo people, Kenge Kenge apparently means 'a fusion of small, exhilarating instruments'. Perhaps something got lost in the translation for if the name is prosaic, the music it anything but. Hailing from Kenya, Kenge Kenge are currently making some of the most thrilling music coming out of modern Africa. Founded in the early 1990s, the group evolved from the marriage of a choir that sang patriotic songs and hymns and a band playing the Kenyan guitar-based pop style known as benga. Transposing benga's irresistible groove to traditional instruments such as the orutu (one-stringed fiddle), asili (flute) and oporo (ox horn), Kenge Kenge are, in effect, returning the music to its roots - for benga itself started out by translating traditional Luo rhythms to electric instruments. Hypnotic, danceable, earthy and - yes, rump-shakingly exhilarating - at times their music recalls the trance-laden buzz of Congo's Konono No 1. Ultimately, though, Kenge Kenge make a sound that is totally unique.

Biog by Nigel Williamson