SHINDU SHI -
Fadhilee Itulya
Release date: 23rd July 2021
Cat ID: NXW76160-2
Label: Naxos World
Inspired by the 1950s finger-picking guitar style of Omutibo, SHINDU SHI focuses on good time music grounded in culture, community and love for Africa and its people.
An upbeat album of Omutibo, acoustic folk, pop, dance and world music inspired by the Luhya people of Western Kenya and the late pioneer of Omutibo - George Mukabi.
‘SHINDU SHI’ is one of the most common and versatile Luyha phrases and serves as an exclamation for many situations... if you were annoyed you would say ‘SHINDU SHI’, or happy or impressed. “Even if you’re not impressed you still say ‘SHINDU SHI’” laughs Fadhilee. It means “WHAT?” - what is this? what is that?
The album is aptly named for the unforgettable year of 2020. Fadhilee saw that year as a slap in the face, everyone wondering “what is this virus?” and “what is going on with the world?”
Grounded on Fadhilee’s love for Africa, this album spans from spiritual songs inspired by a Christian background, odes to Kenyan legends, stories of heartbreak and new love, family tragedies and a bit of call-and-response jesting humour. A gorgeously recorded, intimately connective listening experience.
Fadhilee Itulya
Fadhilee’s career began in 2008, after featuring on the compilation Spotlight on Kenyan Music, by Nairobi Alliance Française. This cultural cooperation programme was aimed at promoting Kenyan afro-fusion music. Influenced by many artists, such as the late George Mukabi (the pioneer of Omutibo), Bob Marley, Ayub Ogada, Habib Koite and Richard Bona, he has performed worldwide at events such as Cool Waters Jazz Fest (Kenya), Sauti za Busara (Zanzibar), Afrima Awards (Ghana) among others in and around Europe.
In 2020, he released his album Kwetu (Home) on Naxos World.This project embraced the dance music of the Isukha and Idakho communities of Western Kenya. (“Driving, syncopated and gets people to dance like nothing else.” – Music in Africa, “Multifaceted, versatile music… the artist does not deny his roots” – MonkeyPress).
He is the founder of Utam Festival held in Kenya that aims to showcase the 42 Kenyan tribes that together shape the identity of Kenya. He also hosts Fadhilee's Garage, a series of monthly live concerts and intimate performances showcasing local talent: “It brings music closer to the people. It aspires to highlight the diversity of music by exposing Nairobian muscians to novel sounds. We strip down all the glory of a stage concert and just get down to a bare garage. This breaks the barrier of who can afford to come and who can’t. Essentially, music is a common culture to be shared with everyone.”
For further information please contact Amelia Zimmatore | amelia@arcmusic.co.uk | +44(0)1342 770478
ARC Music Productions Int Ltd, PO Box 111, East Grinstead, RH19 4FZ, UK | www.arcmusic.co.uk