Elani, Alliance and Maize

If I start most of my statements with 'Now...' just know that I went to State House Primary School for 2 terms within which time I managed to acquire and entrench the habit which was used by the principal, sorry, the headmaster at the time.

Now, who remembers the days when you'd pass by Alliance Francaise and find groups of Nairobian post-high school lads and lasses bumming with guitars and voices? When Sheesha, Weed and Blue Moon and Supras were comparatively less popular?

Remember when every two months, a new band existed with no concert but a fistful of fans who gathered at Alliance on Fridays to listen to some urban Afro something-fusion,soul,pop,acoustic etc? Only thing is that these fans weren't specific. They would attend all Afrofusion concerts. They had the downlow on where Aziza, Sauti Sol and Dela were performing at any one time...kwanza the free ones.

They were loyal and if anyone needed to sip something frothy, they'd head to Mwenda's (before Qube) and then head home.

On one of these chilly evenings, I found Chweya and Meshack with a guitar.

'Hebu sikizeni hii song. Imeandikwa tu leo'

That would be Elani's Brian Chweya. He was still working on the verses, but the chorus was definite. It went,

'Mahindiii, Mahindiii, Raia wanataka unga ya ugali...'

The progression was/is simple but it touched some nerve that still throbs to date whenever I hear the song.

They later finished the chorus, cut the loose strings hanging around it, made sure the bottom was hemmed and it now features every time they go on stage. Mahindi is about how maize is a core part of the country and its people. Maize is that one thread that cuts across every hill, plain and river. From Turkana to Rongai. More than just the literal meaning, it is symbolic.

The guy in Buruburu with his iPad waits for maize-flour to get to the Tuskys in Phase 3 and it is all dependent on some farmer in Kitale with a stub of grass in his mouth. None can do without the other. Maybe it should be used as the theme song for the #WeAreOne campaign. (pauses to lq)

In the video that refused to upload, look out for the break after the transposition after the bridge. I love it especially because of the harmony change-I think they make it a 7nth. It makes me go kuku everytime I hear it. So kuku that I heard it today and typed this in the spur of the moment.

They have a single out (Jana Usiku) and are launching an album on December the 6th at the Alliance Francaise gardens. Tupatane huko. For now, want a bite? Here goes:

ELANI-MAHINDI video