Last part of our series to discover the vinyl phenomenon in Kenya. In the 1970s and 1980s, Nairobi, the capital, was a hideout of music: the artists of the region came to record and put their records pressed. Today, more pressing plant in the country, but some musicians have still decided to release their vinyl albums. Seduced by sound despite the cost and logistical difficulties.
Of our correspondent in Nairobi,
The music escapes from the Disque Tourne and resonates in Blinky Bill’s studio in Nairobi. His real name, Bill Selanga, he is one of the most renowned contemporary artists in Kenya. And chose to press her two vinyl albums. “” The sound is warmer. And then, when I work on the computer, I sometimes have the impression that my album only exists in the void. Having a physical copy in your hands is different. I say to myself: “Wow, I worked hard and I managed to produce this”. I adore.
Blinky Bill collects vinyls, especially African artists. He says he feels closer to them by having their records in his hands. A feeling that his fans seem to share: ” As soon as they leave, my vinyls are quickly out of stock. I think it is partly because few artists produce them. And then, people who love my music also appreciate, I believe, this format, especially the artistic aspect of the album. I think they recognize the work that has been accomplished. »
Kenya has no vinyl pressing plant. To obtain these discs, you must therefore turn abroad. Blinky Bill made them hurry France a maia toeow one Australia.
Feeling of a store
His group, Maia & the Big Skydoes what she calls Afro-fusion. It was during a tour of Australia that she decided to press her albums on site. About 3,000 copies. A process, it recognizes, expensive, but an experience that Maia does not regret.
« Today there is only a limited number of copies, and I find it very nice. What I also really like with the idea of getting out of music on vinyl is that it reminds me of this feeling of being in a store and searching among the old records. My vinyls are scattered all over the world, so I hope that one day, in several years, someone will fall on it and say to themselves: “Oh, I don’t know this artist, I don’t know anything about Kenya” and this person will discover us. »
Blinky Bill as well as Maia Lekow notice an increasing interest in vinyls in Kenya. There are fans who want to run the records on their turntables. And those who collect them like works of art.
Read tooKenya in vinyl: Kenyan music nuggets [2/3]