In today’s episode, I sit down with Olith Ratego and Sven Kacirek to discuss Dodo Blues Music.
I love discovering artists who have a strong connection to a particular country.
This is true for Sven Kacirek, a talented multi-instrumentalist who created a special bond with Kenya from his earliest visits.
Being in the right place at the right time, his meeting with Dodo singer Olith Ratego added even more clarity to his artistic journey.
The two artists crossed paths in Kenya around ten years ago when Sven Kacirek was working on his album “Kenya Sessions,” which gained him recognition as a global producer.
In 2018, they officially formed the project ODD OKODDO, combining their diverse talents seamlessly.
Dodo Blues Music
Olith Ratego is an expert vocalist of the dodo style, which originates from the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya – he refers to his music as Dodo Blues Music.
This traditional female singing style is widely popular among Luo communities.
Additionally, he is a highly skilled luthier, designing and building his string instruments first of all the five-stringed Okodo which lends its name to the project.
On the other hand, Sven Kacirek works with an arsenal of Kenyan percussion instruments as well as household objects and found materials.
The result is their first stunning collaborative project Auma.
Together, they create an energetic and vibrant sound that showcases Olith’s impressive vocal range alongside Sven’s exceptional percussion skills.
In our discussion, we delved into Olith’s deep passion for music from a young age, the significant influence of Tabu Osusa (a passionate Afro-Fusion producer who discovered him), the encounter with Sven, and various aspects of Dodo music in addition to the creative process behind their debut album.
Take pleasure in listening! š§
In addition, read this blog article: Frafra Gospel Music w/ Alogte Oho & Max Weissenfeldt
TABLE OF CONTENTS
6:12 Sven’s early memories of discovering Drum and Bass.
8:46 Olith and his interest in music awakened by hisĀ motherĀ who was aĀ singerĀ of āDodoā.
13:00 The story behind meeting Afro-Fusion producer Tabu Osusa.
21:10 Sven’s connection to Kenya, collaborating with local artists from the scene.
25:40 The first time listening to Ogoya Nengo’s music.
27:52 Dodo Blues: music sung by the old people from the village.
34:16 The creative process of Auma.
40:21 Designing and building the five-stringed Okodo – which lends its name to the project.
53:50 Ogoya Nengo “The Queen od Dodo”.
EPISODES LINKS
ODD OKODDO Olith Ratego about his instruments
Don’t miss our upcoming live Q&A session! š
Don’t miss out on this special opportunity to engage with Vitor Cabral, a talented drummer, percussionist, and producer from SĆ£o Paulo, Brazil.
The session is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7 at 7 pm (CET).
Vitor Cabral is widely regarded as one of the most versatile musicians in Brazil. š§š·
With almost 20 years of professional experience, Vitor has had the privilege to collaborate with some of Brazil’s biggest artists across various genres such asĀ Ed Motta,Ā Banda Black Rio,Ā Dominguinhos,Ā JoĆ£o Bosco,Ā Gal CostaĀ and many more…
Our agenda
In this session, you will explore the diverse musical traditions present in various regions of Brazil.
Additionally, you will learn about the country’s vibrant percussion culture. š„
Most importantly, Vitor will be there to answer all your questions about all things the creative process, sharing unique insights and perspectives.
Join us as we dive into an insightful conversation with Vitor and gain valuable input into his musical journey.
To attend the session, click the button below and sign up for ourĀ Club MembershipĀ by starting yourĀ 7-day FREE trial.
Even if you can’t attend live, you will get access to the reply in our Club’s Premium Content Section.
Hope to see you there!
