Fadhilee Itulya – Shindu Shi (ARC Music, 2021/07/23)
Kenyan guitarist and composer Fadhilee Itulya recorded his new album Shindu Shi inspired by the 1950s finger-picking guitar style of Omutibo music. This musical genre originated from the Luhya people of Western Kenya.
In 2018, Fadhilee was invited to take part in a research program to explore Omutibo. This guitar playing style was popular around the mid-1950s to the late 1960s. Fadhilee started using it in his own songs after noticing that his own natural guitar playing style was similar. With Shindu Shi, he is introducing appealing Omutibo music to a new generation in Kenya, combined with modern elements.
Fadhilee Itulya’s major influences include Omutibo pioneer George Mukabi, reggae star Bob Marley and influential African musicians Ayub Ogada, Habib Koite and Richard Bona.
Musicians on Shindu Shi include Fadhilee Itulya on guitar, keyboard; Kasiva Mutua and Prasad Valenkar on percussion; Michael Onyango, Moize Basinza, Eddy Ogaga, Tito Monako, Andrew Ngatia, and Ekundayo Akomolafe on bass; Mathew Raballa and Amani Baya on drums; Chris Sololo on electric guitars; Regina Mlecha, Sylvestor Mkalimani on backing vocals; Lulu Said Abdalla on vocals; Kento Tsubosaka on keyboards; and Tugi Mlamba on electric guitars.
Fadhilee Itulya released his debut album Kwetu (Home) in 2020. The recording highlighted the dance music of the Isukha and Idakho communities of Western Kenya.
Buy Shindu Shi
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.