Dala (2020)
by Nina Ogot
Nina Ogot is a contemporary musician from Nairobi. She fuses traditional elements of her Luo origins with other Kenyan and Western influences.
Her new album ‘Dala’ (home) is inspired by some of Kenya’s music greats like Daudi Kabaka and Joseph Ngala. Benga hooks, groovy percussions, catchy horns and vocals all testify to the musical prowess of Nina Ogot’s 13 piece band.
Singing mostly in Kiswahili and Dholuo, Nina’s warm expressive voice transports you into an exotic universe of World Music. The songstress succeeds in translating her experiences into notes and lyrics that speak to listeners in many parts of the world.
Nina Ogot recorded her third album ‘Dala’ in Germany, thanks to the excellent musical chemistry between her Kenyan and new German band members. A live recording studio set-up of Western instruments add pomp and colour to the singer’s pieces, ranging from classical string arrangements to the sweet sound of analogue vintage keyboards to guitars recorded with 1960s tube preamps.
This record therefore promises its audience a rich and colourful musical palette – an exciting contemporary Kenyan sound.