Pick of the Week - Hiramix Mwendwa (Kenya)
Don't miss this one. Hiramix Mwendwa and friends play a fabulous style of guitar-based music that's equal parts endurance test and great sounds.
I've run across A LOT of excellent music since starting Music of Africa. But now and then I hit upon an artist I've never heard of and who really leaves a mark. Eddy Kenzo, of Uganda, is the first of a number of names that spring to mind. Now Hiramix Mwendwa gets added to that list.
I stumbled across one of Mwendwa's videos (the first one on this page) this week and I thought I'd listen to it for a bit and then move on. Time is finite (I guess) and there's always a lot more to listen to. Ninety minutes later I'd fallen into some kind of Benga guitar trance and am now a fan for life.
Apparently Mwendwa plays Benga music, as just noted. I've listened to a bit of it here and there, but what I know about this mostly Kenyan style of music might not fill a thimble. Again, time is finite. So I'll direct you here for a quick summary of Benga and here for a book on the topic.
Most of Mwendwa's activity seems to take place at his YouTube channel. Where he plays with other guitarists and now and then he takes a solo turn.
The group performances are mostly duos and trios. Everything I've watched so far falls into the same pattern. The group works it's way through a bunch of songs - playing to a click track and flowing from one song to the next seemingly without a break (unless there's studio trickery I didn’t catch).
It's great stuff and I've been working through the various performances at the channel. The one embedded below breaks the mold, but it's an absolute must see.
Apparently, it takes place at a church service, with audience members of all ages dressed in their Sunday best and waving white cloths and a preacher exhorting in time with the music. If I could find a church service like this, I’d be there.