OUR CATALOGUE
Tamasha Corporation Limited in Nairobi, Kenya, has a vast catalogue of both local and international rocking the air waves. The company has interactred with music belonging internationally known artists; Franco, Tabuley, Simba Wanyika, Bert Kaempfert, Roger Whitaker and many more.
Mbaraka Mwinshehe
The death of Tanzanian guitarist/bandleader Mbaraka Mwinshehe, following an automobile accident in 1979, resulted in the loss of one of the spearheads of East African dance music. Having established
his reputation as a member of Morogoro Jazz, between 1964 and 1973, Mwinshehe continued to make his influence felt as the leader of his own band, Super Volcano, from 1973 until his untimely death six years later.
A self-taught guitarist, Mwinshehe played kwela music with Cuban Branch Jazz as a teenager. Studying singing with Salim Abdullah, a founding member of Morogoro Jazz who had gone on to form the Cuban Marimba Band, he continued to grow as a vocalist. Mwinshehe had yet to reach his creative apex when he died. In 2000, Dizim released the first of a promised series of reissues of Mwinshehe’s music.The death of Tanzanian guitarist/bandleader Mbaraka Mwinshehe, following an automobile accident in 1979, resulted in the loss of one of the spearheads of East African dance music. Having established his reputation as a member of Morogoro Jazz, between 1964 and 1973, Mwinshehe continued to make his influence felt as the leader of his own band, Super Volcano, from 1973 until his untimely death six years later.
A self-taught guitarist, Mwinshehe played kwela music with Cuban Branch Jazz as a teenager. Studying singing with Salim Abdullah, a founding member of Morogoro Jazz who had gone on to form the Cuban Marimba Band, he continued to grow as a vocalist. Mwinshehe had yet to reach his creative apex when he died. In 2000, Dizim released the first of a promised series of reissues of Mwinshehe’s music.
Simba Wanyika
Simba Wanyika was formed in 1971 by brothers Wilson Peter and George Peter Kinyonga, both born in Kigoma, Tanzania. They joined Jamhuri Jazz Band in 1966, which was one of Tanzania’s most
popular bands. They moved to Arusha in 1970, forming Arusha Jazz with their other brother, William Peter, and received sponsorship for their equipment.
The group then moved to Kenya, receiving a recording contract in 1972. They recruited more Tanzanian musicians and changed their name to Simba Wanyika (“Lions of the Wilderness”). They had a harder sound than most rumba bands and were almost unchallenged in that area in Kenya due to the closing of the Tanzanian border in 1975. Rhythm guitarist Omar Shabini quit the band in the late ’70s, taking many musicians with him and forming Les Wanyika.
Simba Wanyika added more musicians, but his brother George quit in 1980 and took more musicians with him to form Orchestra Jobiso. Eventually, he reconsidered and rejoined Simba, still working with Jobiso on side projects. Simba Wanyika added “Original” to their name to prevent confusion with Les Wanyika and its splinter group, Super Wanyika. Simba regained its popularity in the mid-’80s, releasing many hits and touring
François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi
François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi (6 July 1938 – 12 October 1989) was a major figure in twentieth century Congolese music, and African music in general. He is widely referred to as Franco Luambo.
He was born in 1938 in what was then the Belgian Congo. His mother had a market stall in Ngiri-Ngiri, and he played harmonica and other instruments to help attract customers. In 1955 Franco formed a band that debuted in the OK Bar.The following year the band was renamed OK Jazz in honour of the place it had begun.In 1980, Franco was named ‘Grand Master of Zairean’ music by the Mobutu government, an honor that linked him with the ruling elite that was responsible for much of the economic problems beggaring the country. The subject of his songs shifted dramatically in this period to patriotic songs and praise songs to wealthy fans.
He died in 1989, resulting in four days of national mourning in Zaire.
Tabu Ley Rochereau
Tabu Ley Rochereau is indeed one of Africa’s most accomplished Singer/songwriter. Tabu and Dr Nico Kasanda are the inventors of Soukous, the dance mania that has swept the continent over the past two decades.
He brought spectacle to the stage by introducing dancers clad in brilliant costumes to spice up his stages performances. This was later to be referred to as the Rochereaurettes.
The Rochereaurettes wowed audience across the globe during his concerts as the gyrated their bodies vigorously to Tabu Ley’s vibe.
He internationalized his music by fusing elements of Zairean(Congolese ) folk music with American soul , as well as Carribbean and Latin beats and instrumentation.
Mombasa Roots
The band was founded in 1977 by the “Juma Brothers” from Mombasa, i.e., Suleiman Juma (keyboards, vocals), Saeed Juma (band manager) and Ebrahim Juma (guitar). They were later joined by Mahmood Siraj (guitar and vocals), Hassan Malambo (trumpet and vocals), Tamrat Kabede (drums), and a fourth Juma brother, Ahmed (guitar, saxophone, vocals).
The band played live throughout Kenya, achieving a great popularity.[1]
In 1987 they recorded for Polygram their debut album, Msa Mombasa, from which hit singles Disco Chakacha and Kata were taken.
As many Kenyan bands, Mombasa Roots mostly played live in great hotels. This gave them some popularity among European and American tourists and foreigners in general, as well as the opportunity to play abroad (most notably in Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Dubai, and Oman).
Safari Sound
Safari Sound enjoys the distinction of having recorded Kenya’s best-selling album of all time, The Best of African Songs. When not enjoying this remarkable achievement, they work the tourist hotel circuit along with competitors The Mushrooms. They come from Mombasa, Coast Province, Kenya
Fadhili William
Fadhili William was born on 11th November 1938 and died on 11th February 2001. He was a Kenyan musician and songwriter popularly known for his hit song ‘Kenya Nchi Yangu’, ‘Malaika’
Featuring Artists
Zeget Delounger
John Nzenze
Roger Whitaker
