Monday 6 June 2011, 8pm

Owiny Sigoma Band + Michael Kiwanuka

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This Nairobi-London sound clash mixes traditional Kenyan Luo styles with contemporary western influences, and really works ... both groups come together to create a quirky, slinky dance style." **** The Guardian

The earthy grooves of the Owiny Sigoma Band make their UK live debut at Café Oto. This 7-piece group made up of Kenyan and London musicians bring their charming culture clash to Dalston. Their debut album out on Brownswood Recordings is a collection of dreamy afro-grooves bring together the traditional folkloric music of Kenya and the modern jazz vibes of London.

In 2009 a close-knit London-based collective of musicians made up of Jesse Hackett (keys), Louis Hackett (bass), Sam Lewis (guitar), Chris Morphitis (bouzouki/guitar) and Tom Skinner (drums) travelled to Kenya. There they met Joseph Nyamungu, a phenomenal nyatiti player/teacher whose scope of knowledge of traditional Luo music is unparalleled. The initial meeting was a huge success and led to a number of sessions with Joseph and Charles Owoko, a drummer specialising in traditional Luo rhythms. These sessions concluded with time in a downtown Nairobi studio where the sound developed into something unique, fresh and full of verve.

The results are documented on the band’s self-titled album – a collection of gloriously loose Afro grooves symbolic of the true culture clash between the Luo and London.



Owiny Sigoma Band by Brownswood

MICHAEL KIWANUKA Folk soul singer Michael Kiwanuka provides support on the night. The 23-year-old North London resident recently released his debut EP Tell Me A Tale, sparking comparisons with Otis Redding and Bill Withers.