A music review by Onyango Oloo

Speaking of Luo music from western Kenya, over the last four or five years, Ohangla music has migrated from the busaa shebeens and traditional funerals to storm its way to the top of the charts with such superstars as Tony Nyadundo and his elder brother Jack raking in hefty sums as they perform to overflowing crowds in such spots as the Carnivore, Deep West Resort, Kuche Kuche, Lagoon, Zanze, Egesa, Jam Rescue, Hillbreeze and Ranalo’s.

If you want to welcome 2009 in a fresh and exciting musical way, please go out and grab yourself a copy of Retracing the Benga Rhythm- a stupendous cultural package that includes a beautifully illustrated booklet designed by Kenya’s leading cartoonist Maddo aka Paul Kelemba a documentary DVD ( narrated by veteran thespian and television personality John Sibi-Okumu) that delves into the history and contemporary developments of the Benga music genre- a popular art form that is genuinely indigenous to Kenya despite the obvious cross pollination from Congo and Latin influences from revolutionary Cuba. The DVD is accompanied by a separate audio digital recording featuring the likes of John Ogara, DO Misiani, Dr. Collela Mazee, Sukuma Bin Ongaro, Arisi Osababu, Daniel Kamau (DK) Kakai Kilonzo and Francis Danger, the Kalenjin Sisters, George Ojijo, George Ramogi, Shem Tube and Simon Ayuya.