Discography of KAKAI KILONZO & THE KILIMAMBOGO BROTHERS BAND
Kakai Kilonzo's Kilimambogo Brothers were one of the standout ensembles of Kenyan popular music during the 1970s and 80s. Identified initially with the Kamba cultural group, they developed a loyal following across ethnic and regional lines through their wry and topical lyrics in Swahili.Ê In "Baba Mkwe" (Father-in Law), Kakai pleads with his father-in-law to take back his irresponsible daughter, while "August One" discusses the attempted coup d'etat of 1982, a traumatic event in modern Kenyan history.
The Kilimambogo Brothers' first recording was 1975's "Ktala Kyakwa Na Meli." In 1978, the group split, with Kakai Kilonzo's faction hereafter calling itself Les Kilimambogo, and Joseph Mwania's unit the Original Kilimambogo Stars.
Tragically, Kakai Kilonzo passed on in 1987 at the age of 32, but through reissues, his music is available to a new generation of African music enthusiasts. Most of the information in this discography of the Kilimambogo Brothers was graciously supplied by Doug Paterson, who helped produce the recent compilation "Best of Kakai Volume One" on the Shava label. For more information on East African music, go to his East African Music Page .
-- John Beadle
1975
Kilimambogo Brothers Band
Ktala Kyakwa Na Meli / ?
(7" 45; recording information unavailable)
1976
Kilimambogo Brothers Band
Katulu na Bell-Bottom / Eka Kuia Beatrice
(7" 45; Kilimambogo Brothers [Nairobi] KLB 7-001)
1976
Kilimambogo Brothers Band
Kelitu Ka Kanyole Pt. 1 / Kelitu Ka Kanyole Pt. 2
(7" 45; Kilimambogo Brothers [Nairobi] KLB 7-002)
1976
Kilimambogo Brothers Band
Muindi Wa Mang'ala / Dr. Kalau
(7" 45; Kilimambogo Brothers [Nairobi] KLB 7-003)
1976
Kilimambogo Brothers Band
Wanawake Wachawi / ? (7" 45; Kilimambogo Brothers [Nairobi] KLB 10)
Late 1970s?
Kilimambogo Brothers Band
Maisha ya Town
(LP; Kilimambogo Brothers? KLBLPS 001)
[A] ?
[B] ?
Late 1970s?
Kilimambogo Brothers Band
Mpenzi Helena Pt. 1 / Mpenzi Helena Pt. 2 (7" 45; Kakai Kilonzo Sound KDO-001)
1979?
Kilimambogo Brothers
Beba Kitambulisho / Everybody Fuata Nyayo
(7" 45; Kakai Kilonzo Sound [Nairobi] KDO 7-010)
Early 1980s?
Kilimambogo Brothers
Mkamba's Day Pt. 1 / Mkamba's Day Pt. 2
(7" 45; Kakai Kilonzo Sound KDO 013)
Early 1980s?
Kakai Kilonzo & Kilimambogo Brothers Band
Kithetheesyo Ki Muka / Katulilangi
(7" 45; Kakai Kilonzo Sound [Nairobi] KLZ 7-002)
Early 1980s?
Les Kilimambogo
Ngoma Ni "Twi Twi" Pt. 1 / Ngoma Ni "Twi Twi" Pt. 2
(7" 45; Les Kilimambogo [Nairobi] LES 03)
1980s
Les Kilimambogo
Mongeli Pt. 1 / Mongeli Pt. 2
(7" 45; Les Kilimambogo [Nairobi] LES 6)
1980s
Les Kilimambogo Brothers
Mutwawa Niwatwana / Mathitu Mowe
(7" 45; Les Kilimambogo [Nairobi] LES 007)
1980s
Les Kilimambogo
Ngungu Na Muoi / Kilinga Munguti
(7" 45; Les Kilimambogo [Nairobi] LES 08)
1982
Les Kilimambogo
August One Pt. 1 / August One Pt. 2
(7" 45; Les Kilimambogo [Nairobi] LES 9)
1980s
Les Kilimambogo
Christmas Day Pt. 1 / Christmas Day Pt. 2
(7" 45; Les Kilimambogo [Nairobi] LES 16)
1980s
Les Kilimambogo
Sera Ndungembeti / Ngomelelye Kitaambaasye
(7" 45; Les Kilimambogo [Nairobi] LES 17)
1980s
Les Kilimambogo
Wakumbuke Wazazi Pt. 1 / Wakumbuke Wazazi Pt. 2
(7" 45; Les Kilimambogo [Nairobi] LES 19)
1980s
Les Kilimambogo
Punguza Ulevi Pt.1 / Punguza Ulevi Pt. 2
(7" 45; Les Kilimambogo [Nairobi] LES 21)
1980s
Les Kilimambogo
Shangilia Christmas Pt. 1 / Shangilia Christmas Pt. 2
(7" 45; Les Kilimambogo [Nairobi] LES 22)
1980s
Les Kilimambogo
Kasilili / Fastinas
(7" 45; Les Kilimambogo [Nairobi] LES 23)
1980s
Les Kilimambogo
Harambee Moto Moto Pt. 1 / Harambee Moto Moto Pt. 2
(7" 45; Les Kilimambogo [Nairobi] LES 24)
1980s
Les Kilimambogo
Rudi Bwana Yesu Pt. 1 / Rudi Bwana Yesu Pt. 2
(7" 45; Les Kilimambogo [Nairobi] LES 25)
1980s
Les Kilimambogo Brothers
Serah Ka Mama Pt. 1 / Serah Ka Mama Pt. 2
(7" 45; Les Kilimambogo [Nairobi] LES 26)
1980s
Les Kilimambogo
Baba Nipe Mali Pt. 1 / Baba Nipe Mali Pt. 2
(7" 45; Les Kilimambogo [Nairobi] LES 27)
1980s
Les Kilimambogo
Arusi Yako / Leo Ni Leo
(7" 45; Les Kilimambogo [Nairobi] LES 29)
1980s
Les Kilimambogo Brothers
Call it a Day
(Cassette; Les Kilimambogo [Nairobi] LES/C 103)
[A] Ngoma Ni Twi Twi / Ruta KibauÊ / Bibi Ni Wa Mmoja Pt. 1
[B] Bibi Ni Wa Mmoja Pt. 2 / Musinzili Wa Les Les / Harambee ya Nyao
1980s
Les Kilimambogo
Mkamba's Day
(Cassette; Studio Sawa Sounds [Nairobi] LES/C 004)
[A] Mkamba's Day / Mwongeli / Bahati ya Mtu / Ndia
[B] Kenya Nchi Yangu / Unga / Icera Ria Kakai / Karechu / Nthambi / Kimotho / Vindya Mwana
1980s
Les Kilimambogo Brothers
Shangilia Christmas
(Cassette; Les Kilimambogo [Nairobi] LES/C 107)
[A] ?
[B] ?
1984
Kakai Kilonzo & Les Kilimambogo
Annah I Love You
(Cassette; no label LES/C 108)
[A] Annah I Love You / Harambee Moto Moto / Arusi Yako
[B] Mary Kilala / Leo Ni Leo / Baba Nipe Mali)
1980s
Kakai Kilonzo & Les Kilimambogo Brothers Band
Serah Kamama
(Cassette; no label LES/C 109)
[A] Sherina Nakupenda / Serah Kamama / Monika Pt. 1
[B] Monika Pt. 2 / Baba Mkwe / Mpenzi Mary
1987
Les Kilimambogo Brothers Band
Simba Africa
(LP; Popular African Music [Frankfurt] PAM 03)
[A] Baba Mkwe Pt. 1 / Simba Africa / Mongeli / Baba Nipe Mali
[B] Wakumbuke Wazazi / Kithetheesyo Kimuka / August One / Shangilia Christmas Pt. 1
1988
Kakai Kilonzo
The Best of Kakai Volume 1
(LP; CBS [Nairobi] CBSN 028)
[A] Wakumbuke Wazazi / Rukunga / Serra Ndungie Mbete
[B] Mama Sofie / Sweet My Baby / Mpenzi Serra / Ngomeleelye Kitambaasye
Late 1980s?
Marehemu K.K.K. & Les Kilmambogo
Maisha ya Town
(Cassette; no label LES/C 110)
[A] Maisha ya Town / Beba Kitambulisho / Fuata Nyayo / Tueshimu Uhuru Wetu / Rudi Bwana Yesu
[B] Mpenzi Elenah / Bidii Ni Mali / Bibi na Bwana / Majirani Wanisumbua / Mama Christina
Late 1980s?
Late K.K.K.
Muindi wa Mangala
(Cassette; Studio Sawa Sounds [Nairobi] KLBK 01)
[A] Muindi wa Mangala / Mwiitu Beth / Ivensi ya Ngima / Ngasyoka Rose / Eka Kuia Beatrice / Amina
[B] Kilimambogo Mathauni / Katulu na Bell Bottom / Syongo Sya Nguku / Keletu Ke Kanyole / Dr. Kalau / Leo Ni Wapi
Late 1980s?
Kilimambogo Brothers
Volume 2: Wanawake Wachawi
(Cassette; Studio Sawa Sound [Nairobi] KLB/C/VOLII)
[A] Wanawake Wachawi / Kijana Hatari / Ithwa wi Metho / Mwinzi wa Mabuthi / Tiundu Joyce / Nthambi
[B] Katutulangi / Siyo Kamanyere / Kithetheesyoki Muka / Nzilani / Kimotho
2000
Kakai Kilonzo & Les Kilimambogo
Everlasting Melodies
(CD; Audio Masters [Nairobi] AML/CD/006)
Baba Nipemali / Muitu Mbethi / Kilimambogo Mathauni / Muindi wa Mangala / Mwongeli / Kijana Hatari / Wakumbuke Wazazi Pt. 1 / Rukunga / Wakumbuke Wazazi Pt. 2
2002
Kakai Kilonzo & Les Kilimambogo Brothers
Best of Kakai Vol. 1
(CD; Shava SHAVACD011-2)
Mama Sofi / Sherina Nakupenda / Sera Kamama / Monica / Baba Mkwe / Mpenzi Mary / Ngomeleelye Kitambassye
ORIGINAL KILIMAMBOGO (O.K.B.) STARS
Kilimambogo splinter group led by Joseph Mwania.
1980s?
Original Kilimambogo (O.K.B.) Stars
Mama Sheria Pt. 1 /Ê Mama Sheria Pt. 2
(7" 45; New Mwania Sound [Nairobi] NEW 108)
1989
Various Artists
The Nairobi Beat: Kenyan Pop Music Today
(LP; Rounder [US] 5030)
[A] Jamoko Wange Tek (D.O. 7 Shirati Jazz) / Mwana wa Ndigwa (Mbiri Young Stars) / Bibi Joys (Super Bunyore Band) / Mama Sheria Pt. 1 (Original Kilimambogo [O.K.B.] Stars) / Amua Nikuachi Kazi Pt. 1 (Maroon Commandos)
[B] Ururu-Ruru Mwana (Gatundu Boys) / Tabitha Awuor (Migori Super Stars) / Kopulo Onesi (Kalambya Sisters) / Mado Zaina Pt. 1 (Bana Likasi) / Ese Omulebe Wenywe (Mayanja Bugoma Jazz Band)
--This discography was compiled by Doug Paterson (East African Music Page ) in collaboration with John Beadle, P.O. Box 100174, Milwaukee, WI 53210 USA. Additions and corrections to this discography should be emailed to John Beadle. Special thanks to: Edmund Ogutu, David Maluko, Julius Kassombo, Steve Kamuiru, Ken Chitika.
Last updated on August 14, 2006
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