← more from
Dagoretti Records
We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Lucas Odote - Lucas Odote "J​.​Oreng"

from Nyatiti Singles Volume 1 by Dagoretti Records

supported by
sebastien lerebours
sebastien lerebours thumbnail
munlick
munlick thumbnail
/

about

Lucas Odote performing "Odongo Bogi" on Mwenge Records in 1974, catalognumber 7-10

Style is "The Soul". Lucas plays here with a horn and rhythm section accompaniment.

Lucas Odote was one of the most famous nyatiti players who ever lived. He is notable for his incredibly fast and precise playing, and his incredible ability to sing and play while compromising neither. Some of his recordings are so fast that I assumed the tape machines were running slow, increasing the speed of playback. People present at his recording sessions indicate that this wasn’t the case, he was, in fact, incredibly fast.

Originally from Siaya, he moved to Nairobi and, though an accomplished and popular performer, he eventually served on the City Council. His time in government never kept him from playing, however, and the quality of the recordings indicate that he used his own funds to support them. Most nyatiti recordings feature only a lone player, whereas Odote would feature percussionists, guitar players and, on this recording, a horn section. Odote, in 1974, was experimenting with including soul and funk elements in his music. The results are spectacular and a serious departure from his normal 200 bpm plus playing style.

By dumb luck, I found this single from 1974 on Mwenge Records in an overlooked stack of records at Jimmy’s in Nairobi. The record is in terrible condition, though not unplayable and even has a chunk missing along the edge. I cleaned it up as best I could but I would still like to find a clean copy of this record one day.

The heavy funk and dance sounds challenge the traditional notions of the nyatiti and make for a fantastic listen. There had to be more tracks recorded that day; it is unfortunate that they might never surface, but in the meantime, this blistering gem from more than 40 years ago can finally get the listening it deserves. I can only imagine what this music was like live.

credits

from Nyatiti Singles Volume 1, released January 28, 2018
Lucas Odote - Nyatiti, Vocals

Other musicians unknown

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Dagoretti Records image

Dagoretti Records Ann Arbor, Michigan

"Dagoretti" is the confluence of three large pathways in Nairobi connecting all of Kenya together. It is also the Swahilified pronounciation of "The great." We like to think that we put out great records that connect distant places together.

contact / help

Contact Dagoretti Records

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Lucas Odote "J.Oreng", you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now