KBS
An Andrew Crawford Productions label dedicated to releases by Kenya Blue Stars.Press to see what we have in stock

Kelly Brown
A private label for the Mombasa born Abdulkadir Mohammed Ali Bux, aka Kelly Brown.Press to see what we have in stock

ken-tanza
A CBS label from the early 1980s that appears to have started out by licensing Tanzanian records for release in Kenya then very quickly broadened its scope to include any Swahili pop it fancied.Press to see what we have in stock

Kenya United Sounds
One of the main outlets in the 1970s for records by the influential Kikuyu bandleader and entrepreneur Joseph Kamaru and his City Sounds Band.Press to see what we have in stock

Kikuyu Sounds
As the label name indicates, this was an outlet for Kikuyu singles by, with the exception of the Kilimambogo Brothers, some of the less well-known names on the local music scene. It is a sister label to Akamba Sounds.Press to see what we have in stock

King Kong
An AIT label for productions by PO Kanindo that has three distinct strands. The first couple of singles are by a Luhya band who also recorded for Swara and Editions Shariff. The 700-800 series are by the main players on the Luo benga scene of the mid-1970s, artists Kanindo recorded often and on a multiplicity of labels. The 1000 series started later than the 700-800 series and features records by Kallenjin artists. Almost all of the listings for the label come from AIT’s master catalogue, but OK 1017 turned up on Ebay in March 2011 to confirm a slightly later start to the series. OK 1033 appears to feature two of the label’s bands coming together to record a song in praise of Daniel Arap Moi who became President of Kenya in 1978.Press to see what we have in stock

Kirinyaga
AIT subsidiary label. Known to have bad pressings, meaning the audio will sound worse than the visual grading.Press to see what we have in stock

Kombora
CBS subsidiary for Jobiso group. Orch Jobiso was both a breakway from Orch Simba Wanyika and later, after brothers Wilson and George Kinyonga reconciled, a flag of convenience outlet for George’s own compositions.Press to see what we have in stock

Koth Kiyombi
AIT (Andrews International and Teal) label with mostly DO7 Shirati Jazz output.Press to see what we have in stock

Kuja Mol
Late 1970s AIT label that features benga productions by Okoth Kodondi.Press to see what we have in stock

KWE
Quartet of singles by two Luo bands. I have found no information on Orch Oguyo and all I can say about the Yahoos Band is that both their singles were written by Sam Oketch, which suggests a link with Kendu Jazz Band.Press to see what we have in stock

Kwetu
Julius Nyerere’s socialist vision for Tanzania during his term as president from 1963-1984 meant that record labels were few and far between. Kwetu, Sindimba, TFC and Uhuru Stars are all products of the state-run Tanzania Film Company, which specialised in producing documentaries for government bodies and had its own recording studio.Press to see what we have in stock

Lake Victoria
Label from Victoria Music Stores, featuring productions by Okoth Kodondi. He is best-known for his extensive work with Luo benga bands on labels such as Ka-Ber and Kodondi but he also produced other bands too.Press to see what we have in stock

Lamore
Early Kenyan label started in the late 60s, pre Melodica times. Established by Pravinlal Laljibhai Daudia.Press to see what we have in stock

Les Kilimambogo
Label related to Kakai Kilonzo Sound, Kilimambogo Brothers and New Mwania Sound.Press to see what we have in stock

Les Volcano
A Jaca label for Charles Ray Kassembe’s Orch Les Volcano produced by AC Kochomo. Kassembe took over leadership of the band after Mbaraka Mwinshehe’s death and it also recorded for Bingwa, Mlima and Superphonics, though never with the same level of success as under Mwinshehe’s leadership. For a full listing of labels, check out the Bands Index.Press to see what we have in stock

Light & Sound
The only label releasing singles in Mogadishu Somalia throughout the seventies and eighties. Run by Dahir Omar. Early pressings was done in Lebanon, but the majority of output was made in Nairobi Kenya.Press to see what we have in stock

Linga
CBS imprint that appears to have specialised in releasing records by Kenya-based Congolese musicians.Press to see what we have in stock

M.S.R.
MSR clearly stands for Mamicha Sound Recordings and the whole operation appears to have been owned and run by Mike Njenga Mamicha (The Wonder Boy) as he modestly credits himself on PCM 007.Press to see what we have in stock

Maendeleo Ya Sega-Sega
Looks like a label with output from the Sega Sega Luo bandPress to see what we have in stock

Mambo
All the rest of Mambo’s output as recorded so far is in Kipsigis. I can’t tell you anything about the bands or their music, but the existence of these records indicates a lively if little-known local music scene.Press to see what we have in stock

Matata
A diverse label that emphasises on Luo music but throws a bit of everything into the mix.Press to see what we have in stock

Melodica
One of the most prolific record labels in Kenya, both under its own imprint and as a distributor of subsidiaries. Started early seventies, the label is still running.Press to see what we have in stock

MIME
Even though the catalog number is 020 I think this label only had one release.Press to see what we have in stock

Mkulima
Mkulima means “farmer” in Kiswahili. Nairobi-based Sapra were the producers behind several labels during the 1970s, most notably Hodi-Tone. This label was an Angola export label hence the no center pressings.Press to see what we have in stock

Mombasa Roots
Private label for the groups releases, only one release documented.Press to see what we have in stock

Moto Moto
One of AIT’s subsidiary labels. With the exception of the Milambo Jazz Band singles, which are in Dholuo, the rest of these singles are in Swahili and the majority appear to be by Tanzanian bands, suggesting this became AIT’s main conduit for releasing music licensed from Tanzania.Press to see what we have in stock

MPC
MUSICORT PRODUCTION COMPANY - One off label that released one single by Juma Toto Toddy NationalePress to see what we have in stock

Muhito United
Nakuru-based label that seems to feature only one constant: production by David Wahome.Press to see what we have in stock

Musiciana
A Shariff’s of Bungoma label that is definitely a head-scratcher. How did a label based in Western Province come to issue MUSA 03, a record by a Kamba band whose name implies they came from Eastern Province? And why are both Orch Special Liwanza and Orch Shika Shika listed as the artists on MUSA 001 and MUSA 5?Press to see what we have in stock

Musiki du Zaire
One of AIT’s subsidiary labels that basically does what it says on the tin, ie, release records by Congolese artists, many of them based in Kenya and Tanzania.Press to see what we have in stock

Mwamo Gusii
The language of the Kisii and the label name means "village elder’s chair". Another Chandarana output label.Press to see what we have in stock

Mzee Kobe
Luo label where the label’s name “Old Tortoise” in Swahili is repeated in Dholuo, where Opuk - tortoise - is probably a praise name while Pek means important, big.Press to see what we have in stock

Mzuri
The label of Assanand & Sons music store in Mombasa, which started out releasing 78rpm discs back in the 1950s.Press to see what we have in stock

Nairobi Matata
Looks like a self financed effort from the band. Only one release so far ..Press to see what we have in stock

NG0MA
Seems to be Portuguese label with traditional releases from MozambiquePress to see what we have in stock

Njangwa
Interesting label with varied output from some of the bigger Kenyan Groups at the time. Looks like early 80sPress to see what we have in stock

Nyamangura
Appears to be a sister label to Jamienda as both are produced by Mashuke Records of Suna. Two releases both with offshoots of Victoria Kings.Press to see what we have in stock

Recent Comments
Fredrik Lavik on Ruengo Brothers
yes well that info is always avaiable,...vinyhilist on Ruengo Brothers
it would've been lovely if you did...Fredrik Lavik on Gravity, Matokenya, Jabali ‘Lost in Love/Mrs. Onyango/Folk Song’ Afro7
Try Discogs, there has been a few...Anthony on Gravity, Matokenya, Jabali ‘Lost in Love/Mrs. Onyango/Folk Song’ Afro7
I am looking for "Goodbye Maasai Girl"...Paul Nyamweya on Nyamwari Band
very good soothing music. good rhythm and...Paul Nyamweya on New Kegogi Band
Very good nostalgic music of olden times....Fredrik Lavik on Light & Sound of Mogadishu AFRO7 Records Somali Compilation
sorry fixed now!stephane on Light & Sound of Mogadishu AFRO7 Records Somali Compilation
why is the "buy" link dead? frustrating!stephane on Faadumo Qaasim/Ahmed Sharief Yusuf ‘Majogo/Berflasana’ Afro7
is the faduma kassim out of print?...lioz on John Ndichu
this my best song on ndichu finaly...