BY CAROLINE NYANGA

Fifteen years down the line and Kenya’s world renowned musical group Yunasi are still growing strong.

The multiple-award winning troupe that won Kenya gold, silver and platinum discs in the late 90’s for their Sesube kind of music are on the verge of releasing their fifth album.

Dubbed Sesube Sound System (SSS), the 22- track double album in the making is produced by Musyoka, Ngala, Philo of Mainswitch and Cedo of Pacho. It features a mash up of young local musicians among them Rabbit, Wyre, Frasha and Mejja just to name a few.

According to Ngala Oreyo, a Yunasi group member, the aim of doing this is to widen their audience locally besides staying relevant.

“Since we began as Yunasi we have always been associated with acoustic kind of music that saw us gain immense fame abroad compared to the local music scene. We strongly believe that with the new direction we have taken which comprise a fusion of modern African tunes with a tinge of European touch we will be able to make a difference in the local music scene besides challenging our artists to pull up their socks,” he adds.

But why has Yunasi been keeping a low profile, even eliciting suggestions that they had quit music?

”We have not quit music. We still very much in the game and our fans should brace themselves for more surprises in store. Our musical career has always been a very long journey,” say the musicians who started out as Emmanuel’s Clan being part of Mathare Reedemed Gospel Church, Huruma. 

To prove his intent, Ngala reveals he is currently working on a new solo album whose release will coincide with his birthday this year.

“I’m currently busy helping out with music production for various local artists,” says Ngala, adding.

This could be the group’s last album before they to embark on solo projects with others taking a break from music

“One thing people must understand is that you cannot stay in the showbiz forever. There comes a time when you have to let go and move on with other things as you pave way for newer talent,” said one of the members.

Known as Kings of Kenyan music with a unique style called Sesube, Yunasi’s exhilarating performances weaves an intoxicating blend of sega, isukuti and benga.

They are credited having been at the forefront in gathering Kenyan sounds and inspirations from various communities, cultural styles and languages and successfully fusing them with European component to bring out the best of music.

At the time the band comprised of Benson Mutua, Davis Ngalah, Estelle Lannoy, Erick Odhiambo, Dominic Odhiambo, Symon Maranga , Thobias Imani, Charles Owino and Matthew Rabala. This changed over the years and is now made up of Ngala Oreyo, Erick Odhiambo, Toby Imani and Simon Nyarieko.

Achievements

In December 2007 Yunasi was voted 'overwhelming' winners of the BBC 'Next Big Thing' competition, and in 2006 they scooped the prestigious US International Songwriting Contest for the song JI OPOGORE (The Difference of People) obtaining third-place in the World Music category.

In 2004 they won the best afro-fusion band in Kenya during Kisima Awards besides being nominated for an all-African Kora award in South Africa in 2003.

Since 2001 the group has performed in Kenya, France, Germany, Belgium, Mayotte, Djibouti, Tanzania and London.

In 2008 Yunasi were invited to appear as the top act at the world famous Sauti Za Busara Swahili music festival in Zanzibar. They were also the first ever Kenyan band to be invited to play at Bluesfest East Coast Blues and Roots festival in Byron Bay, Australia, the biggest music festival in the Southern hemisphere.

This aside the group Yunasi has managed to collaborate with international artists among them Belgian Blues artiste, Roland van Campenhout and French singer Nicoletta. Their song with Roland won the best folk album in the 2006 Belgian ZAMU Awards which brought about joint concerts in Nairobi and Belgium.

The group that also won ISC International Songwriting Competition (UK) - Top 5, for Usilewe Ndi Ndi Ndi and World of Music Awards besides being included in the first ever  World Music Network Kenyan Compilation Rough Guides to Music. They have staged several international concerts among them Bayimba Festival, Uganda, Todd Lavelles World Musiq Festivals, Thailand Bluesfest East Coast Blues & Roots Festival, Australia and Sauti Za Busara, Zanzibar. Headline act in 2008.


Others are Dome London. Next Big Thing competition – BBC Maida Vale Studios, Djibouti, International,Horn of Africa Festival (Fest Horn),  13 concerts in Belgium, including Ancienne Belgique AB, Brussels and Zuiderpershuis, Antwerp , The Inter-Cultural Festival, Mayotte, Kenya Cultural Week, Paris, 15th International Africa Festival,Germany, 6th Zanzibar International Film Festival, Zanzibar, Sarakasi Festival in Nairobi, at the Carnivore and Uhuru Park and North Sea Jazz Festival, Nairobi.