D O Misiani, The King Of History – Classic 1970s Benga Beats From Kenya

"To Dance Is Your Choice"; that was the motto of Kenya's Shirati Jazz, but one listen to this compilation of their 1970s benga music makes it obvious it was no choice at all; only a statue wouldn't move to this.

Benga, which became the music of Kenya, was the invention of D. O. Misiani, the King of History himself, and the leader of Shirati Jazz. Back in the 1960s, he'd created the new style by plundering Congolese rumba for the vibrant, multi-layered guitar work, South African mbaqanga for the deliciously active and elastic bass work, and put them with the lush singing of his native Luo tribe. It was a fresh, potent mix that he relentlessly honed to perfection and it made Shirati Jazz the most popular band in their homeland. The songs normally start off with a snappy guitar riff as introduction, followed by voices over lulling guitar work. Then, with the singing out of the way, the instruments get down to the serious business, galloping into double time as the guitars trade short, frantic phrases. Although each track follows the same format, there's nothing repetitive about the music. Each piece is a polished diamond, ecstatic and vibrant. "Giko Piny," has sweet, uplifting voices and guitars that prowl and play over shifting rhythms, while the lengthy "Safari Ya Garissa" boasts some impressive fretwork and improvisation — Misiani wasn't only the midwife of the style, he was also its leading axeman.

Whether playing the seductive love songs that the local girls loved but their parents hated, which made a quick exit from his home village necessary, or the political material that landed him in prison, Misiani does it all with pure, life-affirming zest (and his influence still lingers in the sound of Vampire Weekend). This is music made for the heart, and for the feet, and it spreads more joy than a fistful of happy pills. To dance is not a choice. It's a necessity.