Gondwana, a house music label based in Kenya celebrates three years of actively scouting and releasing the best African House music emerging from the continent with its talented artists. The label has single-handedly selected material for their second collection of sounds called Benin, from various artists. The first part of their 24th release is composed of an afro-house, deep, ancestral, and highlife selection including a Kenyan original, born from a collaboration between the Malkia Band, Foozak, Dylan-S, and former Sarabi bass guitarist Lion Waceke titled, Ukaa. A Gikuyu word ‘Kenyan Language’ that translates to ‘Come to me’ and in the context of the song, ‘Come, let’s grow together in peace love, and harmony.’
Sticking to the roots and rhythms, Benin also pick Lisbon’s Studio Bros, Ritual matching closely with Freddy Da Stupid & Team Distant’s RedZon and South Africa’s S.A.M.A award-winning DJ/Producer Sun-El Musician’s Random, an upbeat percussion-driven house classic with ear warming guitar riffs and horns feeding an authentic highlife, afro-house direction to the first part of the second various artist’s collection. Benin also highlights our favorite Kususa cut, off the duo’s extended play on Gondwana’s catalog and a debut release from TmanSoul, completing side A of the compilation.
Benin Compilation Is Available Here