KMRU co-curates compilation of Kenyan electronic music, INSHA

KMRU has co-curated a new compilation, called 'INSHA', featuring music by Kenyan artists. Listen to lead track 'mtwapa siren', by Nabalayo, below. 

Out 24th February, 'INSHA' is borne out of a Nairobi Ableton User Group workshop, which Joseph Kamaru organises with Mbogua Mbugua Mbugua, AKA M³. It features 14 tracks by as many artists, including Manch!ld, Avom, Kimina, Ngat Maler, Rushab Nandha and Snse, as well as KMRU and M³.

'INSHA''s themes examine music's role in the Kenyan cultural traditions and storytelling, most often in ceremonies, aiming to 'serve as a bridge between past and future music creators', according to the compilation's description.

"Every community in Kenya has fantasy tales. We call them folk tales," Nabalayo said. "...The Siren of Mtwapa is a folk tale/folk song I created to gently say I want to drop everything and just disappear. Ideally to where the ocean is. I often look to my ancestors for musical inspiration. This time I decided to be the ancestor that future generations will look up to for folklore."

KMRU previously compiled the 2021 'Place : Nairobi' LP for Air Texture in September 2021. Following that, he collaborated with Echium on the 'Peripheral' LP,  then with Aho Ssan on 'Limen' in April 2022. 

Listen to Nabalayo's 'mtwapa siren', and check out the compilation on Bandcamp.

Revisit KMRU's entry in the DJ Mag Selections series from last October, and check out his Fresh Kicks mix and interview here.