In the Land of the Lion (ARC Music EUCD2455, 2013)
Kenyan vocal ensemble Moipei Quartet dedicates In the Land of the Lion to the symbolic large predator that is frequently identified with Kenya. The Moipei Quartet includes four sisters, a triplet and a younger sister. They use their beautiful voices to bring awareness to the dramatic loss of the lion population in Kenya and the rest of Africa.
Moipei Quartet sings a cappella and also accompanied by traditional acoustic musical instruments. Their vocal style includes traditional Kenyan music, devotional Christian sounds from the European tradition and American Gospel. Their repertoire combines traditional Kenyan material with well-known Christian songs and popular hits like John Denver’s ‘Country Roads.’
The ensemble has performed at various state and international events, conferences and competitions. In 2006 they were appointed the first ever UNICEF Child Ambassadors in Kenya.
The triplets are Mary, Magdaline and Marta. The younger sister is Seraphine. The four vocalists were trained to sing by their parents Nicholas and Christine since they were two years old.
Mary Nenkai Moipei is the eldest of the triplets by two minutes. She aims to become a prominent musician and contribute to many charities to help the less fortunate. In the quartet she plays clarinet and alto saxophone.
Magdaline Nemanyara Moipei is the second eldest triplet. Magdaline sings the second alto voice within the quartet.
Marta Siteiya Moipei is the youngest triplet and plays the trumpet and the euphonium. She is very impassioned about children’s rights and shares Moipei Quartet’s mission of ensuring that all artists are protected and well recognized in Kenya.
Seraphine Setoon Moipei is the fourth child of the Moipei family and plays flute and piano. She hopes to pursue her talents in the performing arts by attending a University in this field in the future.
The CD booklet with texts in English and German describes the troubling decline of the lion population, about 90%; and possibly greater among Africa’s other great predators such as cheetahs, leopards and hyenas. The Kenyan lion population is now estimated at 2000, already down from 2749 in 2002, because of climate change, loss of habitat, disease, hunting, poaching and culling due to conflicts with people.
The talented Moipei Quartet singers use their lovely voices to seek protection for their beloved Africa: its people, its environment, its children, and its magnificent wildlife that is currently trying to survive.
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Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
