https://disciples.ffm.to/heavycombination

A crucial introduction to the 'King of Kikuyu Benga' and the first career-spanning retrospective of the incredible catalogue of the late, great Joseph Kamaru.

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 in partnership with Joseph Kamaru's grandson, the sound artist KMRU.

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.

Joseph Kamaru - Kenya Kũrũngara (Remastered) - from Heavy Combination 1966 - 2007

-
bookings: 
carin@outer-agency.com
pascal@outer-agency.com (EU/WW) 
michael@heavy-trip.com (CA / US)
sync & licensing:  
gavin@syncsmith.com

contact: joseph.kamaru.jk@gmail.com 
-

"No elevators to Eden".

Composer, lyricist, published poet, sound artist, improviser, recording artist. Since 1998.

Also known as @ajkaufmann.

@adammajdeckijanicki

“They Call Him Sunlight, They Call Him the Eagle”

Adam Majdecki-Janicki (1985) has been writing poetry, lyrics, composing, playing, and recording since 1998. His most important achievements to date include his debut poetry collection “Siva in Rags” (Kendra Steiner Editions, USA, 2008), the vinyl and CD “Second Hand Man” (Mimics Cool, Poland, 2011), the CD-R and vinyl “Stoned Gypsy Wanderer” (Kendra Steiner Editions, USA, 2014 / Ramble Records, Australia, 2021), the experimental/ambient album “Eimi” (Snow in Water Records, France, 2020), the vinyl album of his group Säure Adler (Ramble Records, Australia, 2021), and countless other physical and digital releases worldwide.

Joseph Kamaru - Kenya Kũrũngara (Remastered) - from Heavy Combination 1966 - 2007

Disciples