SIREN SONGS FROM ZANZIBAR & THE SWAHILI COAST

Dreamy taarab from rare 45s & cassette tapes. Featuring music by Asmahani & Lucky Star Musical Club and Zuhura Swaleh & Morning Star. 

TRACKLIST

1. Nakupenda Muadhamu – Asmahani and Lucky Star Musical Club (Saba Saba – Kenya, 1970s; Tanzanian taarab recording from Tanga region)

2. Masumbuko – Asmahani and Lucky Star Musical Club (Saba Saba – Kenya, 1970s; Tanzanian taarab recording from Tanga region)

3. Cha-Ka-Cha – Asmahani and Lucky Star Musical Club (Saba Saba – Kenya, 1970s; Tanzanian taarab recording from Tanga region)

4. Masikitiko – Asmahani and Lucky Star Musical Club (Saba Saba – Kenya, 1970s; Tanzanian taarab recording from Tanga region)

5. Mwiba Wa Mahaba – Asmahani and Lucky Star Musical Club (Saba Saba – Tanzania, 1970s) (Saba Saba – Kenya, 1970s; Tanzanian taarab recording from Tanga region)

6. Njoo Nakwita – Asmahani and Lucky Star Musical Club (Saba Saba – Tanzania, 1970s). Courtest of Radio Diffussion Internationale. 

7. Moyo Usijizuzue - Zuhura & Party. 1970s Tanzanian tàarab from the Tanga region. Re-issued on the compilation Zanzibara Vol. 10: First Modern – Taarab Vibes from Mombasa & Tanga, 1970-1990) (Buda Musique). 

8. Ya Zamani - Zuhura & Party (Polydor, 1981)

9. Sultwana - Zuhura Swaleh & Morning Star (Pwani, 1973). Mombasa-area taarab scene.

10. Karama Zijiri - Zuhura Swaleh & Morning Star (Pwani, 1973). Mombasa-area taarab scene.

11. Ni Anasa - Zuhura Swaleh & Morning Star (Pwani, 1973). Mombasa-area taarab scene.

12. Nimeota Tangamano - Zuhura & Party. Original private tapes from Mbwana Radio Service (Mombasa, Kenya, 1972) re-issued by Pwani Tapes (2025).

13. Riziki Iko Kwa Mungu - Golden Star Taarab (Africha Entertainment, Zanzibar).

Many thanks to David Goren, Matthew Lavoie, Leo Sarkisian & Music Time in Africa, Radio Diffussion Internationale, Werner Graebner & Buda Musique, Radio Mbwana Radio Service & Pwani Tapes.