Kenyan choir in traditional "Spirit" on first album
Reuters, Jun 12, 2009 7:07 pm PDTThe Kenyan Boys Choir's first big break was being invited by U.S.-based diplomats to represent Kenya at President Barack Obama's January 20 inauguration. The second was a layover at London's Heathrow Airport on its journey home to Nairobi.
An executive at the Decca label, having been impressed when he saw CNN coverage of the choir's performance, discovered that the group would have to change flights when it reached the United Kingdom. A&R manager Tom Lewis duly made a beeline for Heathrow -- lawyer in tow -- and signed the act then and there.
Six months on, the 25-strong choir's debut album, "Spirit of Africa," is set for global release June 29 on Decca/Universal -- and Lewis is convinced it can be one of the feel-good albums of 2009.
"African music is the basis of everything from the blues to dance, influencing everyone from Damon Albarn to the Chemical Brothers and Vampire Weekend," Lewis said. "We have huge hopes for them, and we're thrilled they decided to sign with us."
The album contains traditional music from several African countries plus versions of Paul Simon's "Homeless" and the Christmas carol "Oh Holy Night."
The choir will tour internationally to promote the album, with touring periods fitted around its members' school terms.
(Editing by Sheri Linden at Reuters)
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