Heavy Combination 1966-2007 (Vinyl 2LP)
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Joseph Kamaru was a popular musician in Kenya, connecting with everyone from powerful politicians to the rural working class, but never reaching the wider international audience he deserved. His grandson, the sound artist KMRU, in partnership with Disciples, has compiled this career-spanning record, Heavy Combination, to showcase his music, ranging from dancefloor chants to afro-frunk, high life-esque guitars to drum machines, and disco to folk styles, with lyrics from protest songs to relationship advice, bringing Kamaru and his range of ranges to new international listeners. - Flying Out
17 tracks that run the gamut from vibrant dancefloor chants with high life-esque guitars, to afro funk, drum machine and keyboard driven disco grooves, and folk style laments. The music is raw, immediate, danceable, and packed full of memorable hooks. The incisive lyrics range from protest songs to relationship advice. Joseph Kamaru was an incredibly popular figure in his native Kenya, connecting with everyone from high-powered politicians to the rural and urban working class, and his music deserves a much wider international audience.
Compiled by his grandson, the sound artist KMRU, in partnership with Disciples, the tracks have been carefully remastered from original tape transfers by Dubplates & Mastering in Berlin. Sleeve designed by Karolina Kołodziej using original archive material from the Kamaru family vaults. Extensive liner notes include essays by Kenyan academic Maina wa Mũtonya, music journalist Megan Iacobini de Fazio, and KMRU himself.
Tracklist
- Kenya Kũrũngara (1977)
- Ke Wapendane (1977)
- Kwandĩkwo Ti Gũciarwo (1976)
- Gari La Trela (1982) with City Sound Band
- Wa Mwene Nĩ Ũmwe (1976)
- Njohi Ndĩrĩ Mwarimũ (1966)
- Karolina (1982) with Kamaru Super Stars
- Ngũnĩa Ngũrũ (1985) with Kamaru Mixed Grill and Kamaru Super Stars
- Kĩmiiri (2007)
- Ikĩhanda Mũnyũgĩ (1988)
- Chunga Rũrĩmĩ (1989) with City Sound Band
- Rĩrĩa Mũgũtwenja (1975) with City Sound Band
- J.M. Kariũki (1975) with Kamaru Celina Band
- Ndari Ya Mwarimũ Pt. 2 (1969)
- Mũhiki Wa Mikosi (1988)
- Andũ A Madaraka (1969)
- Nĩ Kĩrume (2007)
Released October 31, 2025