Eric Wainaina back after six-year hiatus, set to release album

By Esther Muchene | 5yrs ago | 3 min read

Six years since his hiatus, Eric Wainaina’s is back and fans will have their fix tomorrow the 27th of July at The Elephant from 7pm where he is expected to drop his fourth studio album titled ‘Dreams in Stereo.’

According to the award-winning artist, his latest album is a spin off from his last album titled ‘Love+Protest.’

“We were looking for a title coz we had been running without a title for a while and Dreams in Stereo sort of captured everything entering this new world,’’ said Wainaina during a radio interview with Shaffie and Adelle.

Speaking of the album, Eric explained that it is a reflection of where he is at musically echoing his artistic side.

“It is an even more personal and intimate album in many ways, where I felt freer to just be myself. It also explores a wide range of musical genres that are close to my heart. It definitely puts me on a new trajectory musically and creatively, and you’ll be seeing a lot more of this new direction in the months to come…in a way like you’ve never seen me. Stay tuned for a lot more to come,’’ he was quoted saying.

The ‘Daima’ hit maker added that the album was one of his best studio production to date and draws influences from Afro gospel, blues, soul, funk and reggae.

He fused iconic Kenyan roots with the help of great talent with the likes of Blinky Bill, Kagwe Mungai, Sister Kill Joy, Aaron Rimbui, Kendi Nkonge among others.

“Blinky Bill is on the album. In fact he is on a song we are putting up today (Wednesday). It’s wonderful to have a guy like Blinky on the record, because he brings so much sort of stuff that you never imagined. He is just the coolest guy in Africa. And on that same song we’ve got a chick called Kendi Nkonge who’s a new artiste in the industry but she is amazing. I think the tip of the iceberg is a guy called John Nzeze.’’

The 12 song album has songs such as ‘Okay,’ ‘Don’t Bury Me’ feat John Nzenze, Blinky Bill and ‘Hallelujah People’ which are already available on Songa, Boomplay and iTunes.

“It helps if you have a producer. This record has twelve songs on it. What’s really cool about this record is that it’s got a local feel, it’s got an international feel, it’s been recorded in about 3 or 4 places,

“It’s my best work so far, I’ve put my heart and soul into this record. This is sort of personal sort of stuff I’ve been through sort of record and it’s a whole new world, a brand new place,’’ he added.

Eric Wainaina has two other albums namely ‘Sawa Sawa’ which he dropped in 2001 and ‘Twende Twende’ which was released in 2006.