The amazing MZURI label had released this compilation of Afro-arabesque music from Mombasa, Kenya in 2005. I used to have a few songs from this one and I think I even played one in previous undomondo shows, now I have the full release and it’s full of gold. Dating from the most lucrative period in music history the 60’s and the 70’s, it’s highly unlikely to be otherwise, anyway. The arabic influence is very evident, almost as much as North Africa yet it’s coming from Kenya. It’s astonishing, piece of history I say! 5/5

“Evocative, popular taarab recordings made by M.J. Sha’s Mzuri label…here, electric guitars, bass, organs and kit drums were gradually replacing the orchestral instruments in slimmer units, and one particular trademark was an amplified version of a Japanese instrument…used in Indian film music. Sound restoration is excellent..and along with exellent notes this really bodes well for the series to come.” -fRoots Curated by Werner Graebner, one of the foremost authorities on this music who has been documenting it for decades – including a series of work for Globestyle and releases on his own short-lived Dizim imprint. Volume two, 1965-1975: Golden Years of Mombara Taarab, features Mzuri’s `60s and `70s recordings.