Credits:

John Ondolo

Description:

A collection of masterful SP recordings by John Ondoro, an open-tuned guitar virtuoso who was born in Tanzania and worked mainly in Kenya, is now available from Mississippi! Legendary guitarist John Ondoro spent most of his life in both his native Tanzania and Kenya. Unlike most guitarists in his land, Ondoro prefers open-tuned guitars and arranges seemingly endless rhythmic patterns based on hypnotic drones. Inspired by the folk music of Abakuria, where he spent his youth, but also influenced by rock and roll from the US and the explosive pop music of Nairobi, he substitutes traditional instruments and rhythms for the guitar. Playing sometimes like a traditional harp, Ondoro is a brilliant man who has succeeded in inventing a unique sound in the history of African guitar recordings. This album is a compilation of Ondoro's rare SP era recordings.Starting with "Tumshukuru Mungu," one of his best-known songs, the album traces Ondoro's path from his relentless Kenyan-style guitar and flute exchanges to his later electric guitar, bass, and drum recordings with the Jolly Trio.

Tracklisting:

1.Tumshukuru Mungu
2.Siri Ya Vijana
3.Wazazi Musilie
4.Yunie Mpenzi We
5.Olalekanga
6.Ukiwa Na Bwana Bibi