This Island Earth
Sunday November 30th, 2025 with Neil Bakshi
This week features Kenyan Benga, Black, Brown, and Beige by Duke Ellingon, and a few new releases.
This week features Kenyan Benga, Black, Brown, and Beige by Duke Ellingon, and a few new releases.
| Benga reached its big popular peak in the 1980s,. Bands from Central, Nyanza, and Nairobi made Benga featuring electric guitars and stories of everyday life. We start with a set of Benga singles released in the 1980's. |
| Wanja Ni Wakwa New Gatanga Boys - Crossroads Kenya: East African Benga and Rumba, 1980-1985 |
| Palipo Na Maneno Les Moto Moto - Crossroads Kenya: East African Benga and Rumba, 1980-1985 |
| Kwa Wasiojiweza Orch. Les Volcano - Crossroads Kenya: East African Benga and Rumba, 1980-1985 |
| Next up some of the earliest Benga songs I could find including George Ramogi who Wikipedia says originated the genre. |
| Alice B. Anyango George Ramogi - Ajali Ya Sondu |
| Charles Ongoro D.O Misiani & Shirati Jazz - single |
| Joseph Yonga Okatch Biggy - Ukimwi |
| We'll end this listen of Luo Benga music with two contemporary artists. |
| Sudan Musa Juma - Freddy |
| Milly Nyar Ga Aluso Pt3 Odhiambo Tusker - single |
| Black, Brown and Beige: A Tone Parallel to the History of the Negro in America
by Duke Ellington (premiered at Carnegie Hall, January 23, 1943) Ellington wrote Black, Brown and Beige as a three-movement suite telling the story of African American history and culture. He meant it to show that jazz could carry the same depth and scope as a symphony. The suite has three large movements, each divided into musical scenes: Black - Work Song – labor and spiritual endurance - Come Sunday – faith and inner strength - Light – a rising sense of hope Brown - West Indian Dance – Caribbean heritage and rhythm - Emancipation Celebration – freedom after slavery - The Blues – hardship transformed into art Beige A portrait of African American life in the 20th century: Harlem, community, elegance, and modern identity. Sometimes identified with scenes like Sugar Hill Penthouse and the closing Finale. |
| Black - Work Song Duke Ellington - The Carnegie Hall Concerts: January 1943 |
| Black - Come Sunday Duke Ellington - The Carnegie Hall Concerts: January 1943 |
| Black - Light Duke Ellington - The Carnegie Hall Concerts: January 1943 |
| Brown - West Indian Dance Duke Ellington - The Carnegie Hall Concerts: January 1943 |
| Brown - Emancipation Celebration Duke Ellington - The Carnegie Hall Concerts: January 1943 |
| Brown - The Blues Duke Ellington - The Carnegie Hall Concerts: January 1943 |
| Beige Duke Ellington - The Carnegie Hall Concerts: January 1943 |
| Mpaebo Mu Asomdwee Kwashibu Area Band - Love Warrior's Anthem 
|
| Na Binta Dieuf-Dieul De Thiès - Aw Sa Yone, Vol. 1 |
| The Nitty Gritty Gladys Knight and the Pips - The Nitty Gritty |
| Lovely Hula Hands Lei Momi Sweethearts - single |
| Ka Makani Ka 'Ili Aloha Kui Lee - The Extraordinary Kui Lee |
| Ashem Vohu (feat. Ganavya) Manizeh - Mahku
|
| Avan's Sita Ram (feat. Mahku Rimer) Manizeh - Mahku
|
| Onde Anda O Meu Amo Orlandivo - Orlandivo |
Subscribe to This Island Earth
Looking forward to Ellington’s BBB!
1:57 PM, November 30th, 2025