BLNRB

One of the hottest international collaborations of the year has just hit the streets: Out Here Records’ BLNRB - Welcome to the Madhouse.

BLNRB is a collaboration project between some of the biggest electronic artists in Berlin and Nairobi.
On the German side, Modeselektor, Jahcoozi and Gebrüder Teichmann bring the noise. On the Kenyan side, there’s electro crew Just A Band, hip hop legends Necessary Noize, and a host of rappers including Nazizi, Abbas and the Ukoo Flani crew. The result is simply huge. The distinctive Berlin electro sound we all know and love merges with the hottest sounds of East Africa, creating a whole new style.

It all came together last year in a converted townhouse studio in Nairobi which became known as the Madhouse. You can find out more in Out Here Records’ 10-minute mini-documentary:

To hear highlights of the album, plus much more from both Berlin and Nairobi, load up the Radio Wave Jukebox streaming archive, select Friday Ripple from the programme menu, and click the show titled 05.08.2011. Streaming right there, you’ll find all these tunes:

Just a Band, Jahcoozi - Room For Me [Kenya/Germany] (Out Here Records)
Necessary Noize, Teichmann - Very Necessary [Kenya/Germany] (Out Here Records)
Necessary Noize - Kenyan Boy Kenyan Girl [Kenya] (Blu Zebra)
Modeselektor, Nazizi, Abbas – Monkeyflip [Kenya/Germany] (Out Here Records)
Abbas Kubbaf feat. Shaki - Kariobangi South [Kenya] (Independent)
Nazizi, Jahcoozi, Abbas - Madhouse [Kenya/Germany] (Out Here Records)
Nazizi – Jeshi [Kenya] (Ark Angel)
Modeselektor - Happy Birthday [Germany] (BPitch Control)
Teichmann, Ukoo Flani, Dogs - Living Room [Kenya/Germany] (Out Here Records)
Jahcoozi, Ukoo Flani - Msoto Millions [Kenya/Germany] (Out Here Records)
Jahcoozi - Barbed Wire [Germany] (Citizen Records)
Wenyeji of Ukoo Flani – Mizani [Kenya] (Andaki Studio)
Gidi Gidi Majimaji - Atoti Pt 2 [Kenya] (Out Here Records)
Just a Band - Ha He [Kenya] (Homework Records)
Gebrueder Teichmann - Brainwash [Germany] (Festplatten)
DJ Prince - Nairobi Ghetto Radio 89.5 FM mix June 2011 [Kenya] (self-released)
E-Sir feat. Nameless - Boomba Train [Kenya] (Ogopa DJ's)
Redsan – Tetemesha [Kenya] (Dirtty Sound)

Towards the end of the podcast, you’ll also find a selection from that other great contemporary African international musical collaboration, Crammed Discs’ Congotronics vs Rockers project. Specifically, these tracks:

Burnt Friedman vs Konono N°1 – Rubaczech [Germany/DR Congo] (Crammed Discs)
Hoquets vs Konono N°1 – Likembes [Belgium/DR Congo] (Crammed Discs)
Deerhoof & Kasai Allstars - Travel Broadens the Mind [USA/DR Congo] (Crammed Discs)
Bass Clef vs Kasai Allstars - The Incident At Mbuji-Mayi [UK/DR Congo] (Crammed Discs)
Sobanza Mimanisa & Skeletons - Kiwembo Unstuck [DR Congo/USA] (Crammed Discs)
Shackleton vs Kasai Allstars - Mukuba Special [UK/DR Congo] (Crammed Discs)

Fusion is the future. Enjoy!