Renowned Kenyan Afro-Fusion singer and songwriter, Nina Ogot, has released her latest album, ‘Ukumbu.KE’.
The nine-track album showcases Nina’s unique perspective and talent as a live performer, staying true to her signature style of live compositions backed by her band.
Reflecting on the release of the album, Nina said: “Working on this project has been a wonderful experience for me to reminisce about different moments, events, and elements that have enriched my life over the years. In the process, I rediscovered a wealth of ideas that have been transformed into music, transporting the listener from the past to the present moment.
The project embodies guitar sounds, lightly grooving percussion and melodic horns that complement each other perfectly with the predominant Swahili and Luo verses of Nina Ogot’s unique vocal timbre.
She also reinforces the cultural roots with influences from traditional sounds: Coastal taarab and bango melodies, percussive Luhya isukuti, and the spiritual dodo rhythms of the Luo people.
The album title is a play on words, transforming ‘ukumbu’ (memories in Swahili) into a modern context as ‘ukumbuke’ (let us remember) with an added twist of ‘.ke’ to represent a vault for Kenyan music and culture.
In ‘Ukumbu.KE’, all sorts of images from Nina’s childhood and parts of her adulthood come to life through her songs.
The album is inspired by Nina Ogot’s memories and personal cultural moments; from almost forgotten traditional music and stories to legendary film and TV maestros.
The sound of the album revives cultural roots, while creating a colourful live music experience, creating new memories for the present.
The tracks on ‘Ukumbu.KE’ radiate with Ogot’s talented rhythm group, creating a smooth groove.
Nina Ogot includes a reworked version of one of her favourite tracks ‘Chokoraa’ on the new album.
Originally included in her 2008 debut album ‘Ninairobi’, the remake is a testament to her impressive musical evolution and lyrical prowess.
The track ‘Chokoraa’, about the plight of street people, has grown from a relaxed acoustic guitar to a dramatic and powerful call to action.
While Nina Ogot worked with mostly European musicians on her previous album ‘Dala’, her decision to record this fourth album ‘Ukumbu.KE’ in Nairobi to capture the authentic Kenyan vibe is a good one.
The horn sections, arranged and recorded in Germany, are the album’s distinctly international touch.
The singer, who is also the composer of all the songs, has chosen a less experimental and more resolute style of arrangement compared to the previous albums.
The horns and guitars unfold wonderful hook lines, but what stands out most is Nina Ogot herself, who captivates with her very own liveliness, self-confidence, and sensuality.
