What’s the relationship between these two labels? They have the same logo and almost identical names but Koth Kiyombi is clearly marked as being distributed by AIT (Andrews International and Teal) while Koth Kiyobi lists just Teal as the distributor. Could the latter be a pressing from elsewhere in Africa?

Koth Kiyombi provided yet another outlet for DO7 Shirati Jazz. DO Misiani’s band recorded songs for the Awendo Rakido, Bwana Otieko Weche, Chiew Rakuthe, Nyati Mkali and Orch DO7 Shirati Jazz labels under their main name as well as for numerous other labels as Shirati Luo Voice and other variants.

Sare River Jazz band are less well known, although they did cut sides for Lake Victoria.

The Koth Kiyobi single, KIB 621, features two veterans of Kenyan music, being written by Benson Simbeye and produced by Daudi Kabaka, who both recorded for Equator Sounds. The label’s numbering system doesn’t appear to follow any logical sequence.

Update: April 2010: The appearance of KIB 612 on eBay from a seller in South Africa suggests that Teal/AIT used the Koth Kiyobi label to sell East African music in the South African market.

Catalogue       Group                                              A side/B side                                                                              Year

Number

Koth Kiyombi

KK 1            Orch DO7 Shirati Jazz              Charles Okumu/Lucia Auma

KK 2            Orch DO7 Shirati Jazz              Alfred Opondo/Gilbert O. McOpiyo                               1977

KK 3            Orch DO7 Shirati Jazz              Daniel Mboya/Joseph Oucho

KK 4            Orch DO7 Shirati Jazz             Yamo Oloko/Okeyo Mejor                                            1977

KK 5            Orch DO7 Shirati Jazz              Alice Atieno/Lucy Aoko

KK 6            Orch DO7 Shirati Jazz              Sasana Duogi/Raymond Ouko                                     1977

KK 7            Orch DO7 Shirati Jazz              Gilbert Obinga/B.A. Sobu                                            1977

KK 8            Orch DO7 Shirati Jazz              Piny Lichna/Hellen Akinyi                                            1977

KK 9            Orch DO7 Shirati Jazz             Owiti John/Tom Asunga                                               1977

KK 11          Sare River Jazz Band               Rapar Tabu/Margarete Akumu                                     1978

KK 12          Central K Dumbe Dumbe          Amimo Jakano/Prof. John Onyango

KK 13          Orch DO7 Shirati Jazz              Piny Otumu Mudho/G.K. Jagembe

Koth Kiyobi

KIB 389       Orch Shirati DO7 Jazz Band     Mapenzi Ni Kifo/Roby Japvonji                                     1977

KIB 419       Kabras Band                           Beatrice Nasibwondi/Mumela Juma                              1980

KIB 612       Shirati L Voice Jazz                 Selly Karibu Nyumbani/Joice Pod Kins Mar Mon

KIB 621       Semeni Band                          Chisenge Lumbwe Pts 1 & 2                                        1977