Jan 6/06
Twist like it’s Kiswahili
I’m in the mood for some more old-school pop-Africa sounds on this (finally) quiet Friday evening. Nothing like a glass of wine after work and some Kenyan twist from the 1960s to ease you into the weekend, eh?
As far as I know John Amutabi Nzenze is still alive today, around 65 years old and living in Nairobi, Kenya. Until recently he was still touring the country with his group, Wazalendo Eagles Band, playing the good old stuff for his Kenyan fans. Nzenze’s real fame came during the 1960s when he released Angelica Twist, a jangly guitar pop song that made the kids dance a mean twist.
There’s not much to say about this kind of music except that it’s dead simple and fun, but still somehow cooler than your mom’s Dixie Cups albums. Nzenze sings in Kiswahili, which I’ve always thought is a great-sounding language when sung.
You can grab this track and more from The Orchard’s Kenyan music sampler.
John Amutabi Nzenze – Angelica Twist
Tags: kenya, rock
Great song! But why put down the Dixie Cups? Hearing “Iko Iko” on the radio, as happened to me last week, is still a gift of unprocessed New Orleans juju. What on earth did teenyboppers make of the lyrics: “I’m gonna set your flag on fire”?
Sawasawa! Asante sana
The Orchard Link is broken, btw.
Didn’t mean to imply that I’m putting down the Dixie Cups.. they’re genius. Just saying that they’re somewhat mainstream simple mid-20th century pop. You get more respect imho if you pull out a John Amutabi Nzenze 45 at a party.
Link fixed, btw.
Regarding the Dixie Cups’ Iko Iko, see http://www.satyamag.com/nov05/jones.html
I was wondering where about is John Nzenze?Actually My name is Kalunga Jack I founded the Air Feista Matata and John Nzenze was the lead guitarist and I worked with him untill he left the band in 1972 in London when we were invited by the BBC to receive the first prize which my song beat 36 countries from all over the world.That was a very short story about my friend and brother John Nzenze.Right now I live in Canada and a Canadian Citizen.Please if you happen to get John’s address give this address to him.My email address is(kalunga19@hotmail.com).