Scratch to Reveal

Scratch To Reveal
Studio album by Just a Band
Released May 17, 2008 (Kenya)
Recorded 2007 - 2008
Genre House, Disco, Hip hop, Electronica
Length 43:50
Label Rauka Music
Producer Just a Band

Scratch to Reveal was released by Kenyan house/funk trio Just A Band in 2008.

Combining features of disco, funk and electronica, this was the first studio album by the Kenyan trio. The album includes "Oh Ndio", a remix of a song by defunct Kenyan pop group Five Alive.[1]

Album information

Scratch to Reveal was initially slated for a May 10, 2007 release. This release date was pushed to May 17.

The album starts off with the disco/house vibes of "Fly" and "Oh Ndio", explores softer acoustic tones towards the middle and returns to the disco feel with "Lights*Music*Stars". "Iwinyo Piny" appears as a bonus track, and a hidden track appears at the end of the album.

Reception

Scratch to Reveal received generally positive reviews, garnering a five-star rating from WAPI Times, who described it as "full of dancy house gems laced with a little bit of industrial techno and drum and bass."[2] Drum Magazine called it "a break from tradition, the trio have done a record completely devoid of the usual pseudo-reggae influences...truly avant-garde." [3] Adam Magazine called it "a pleasant departure from usual Kenyan music." [4] Just A Band's Single "Hey", off the album Scratch To Reveal was released on the 22nd of October, 2008. It was first played on Citizen TV's Power Breakfast. Hey is a powerful song with a powerful track and out of the ordinary actors to back it. The story of an ordinary guy, missing his girlfriend is portrayed by two puppets 'Boflo' and 'Katunge'. Boflo is professing his undying love for Katunge and calls all other girls 'Kadhalika' which roughly translated means etc...

Track listing

  1. "Fly" – 3:52
  2. "Oh Ndio" – 3:28
  3. "Maro Pa More" – 3:24
  4. "FunkyFineBeautiful" – 3:24
  5. "Do You Mind" – 2:39
  6. "Hey!" – 3:49
  7. "Bye Bye" – 3:54
  8. "If I Could" – 3:05
  9. "Twende Kazi" – 3:47
  10. "Have You Seen Her?" – 3:20
  11. "Lights*Music*Stars" - 3:51
  12. "Iwinyo Piny" (bonus track) - 3:34
  13. "Beba Na Finje" (hidden track) - 1:29

Personnel

Just a Band Vocals, Instrumentation
Liz Ogumbo Vocals
Diana Nduba Vocals
Sarah Mitaru Vocals
Liam Vocals
Manjeru Maina Vocals

Production

Executive producers Just a Band
Mixing Just a Band, Eric Musyoka
Instrumentation Just a Band, Andrew Ngatia Wanjohi, David Gitoho, Eddie Grey, Livi Kantingima
Photography/Package Design Jim Chuchu

References

  1. ↑ Rotich, Juliana. "Interview with Just-a-Band on Kenyan Animation and Music Part I". Afromusing. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  2. ↑ "Boom Bap". WAPI Times. August 9, 2008. Retrieved September 14, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Must Hear". Drum Magazine. July 1, 2008. Retrieved September 14, 2008.
  4. ↑ "Reviews". Adam Magazine. September 2, 2008. Retrieved September 14, 2008.

External links