Catalogue       Group                                                       A side/B side                                                        Language

Number

FUR 7-101   Joseph Abasi                     Africa Ya Kusini/Tuheshima Viongozi                       Swahili

FUR 7-130   Daudi Kabaka                   Mahaba Twist/Cradiet Twist                                    Swahili

                   with J. Isiaho

FUR 7-135   John Nzenze                     Elizabeth Wangu/Veronika Mpenzi                           Swahili

                   with Bongo Boys

FUR 7-142   Edward Nandwa                U-Rika Na Baba Yangu/Bangi Na Pombe Kali            Swahili

                  with Jafeth Isiaho

FUR 7-147   Joseph Abasi, Tom Miti      Tulime/Twist Cha Cha                                            Swahili

                  with C Ljina

FUR 7-195   Joseph Abasi with             Tiriki Shek Shek/Pesa Ni Ngumu                              Swahili   

                  Tom Miti and C. Ljina

FUR    203   Misusera Segamwenge      Sanyu/Mukomusaja                                                Luganda

FUR    213   E Kawalya &                      Malagadaga/Taddanga                                           Luganda

                  James K Kigongo

FUR    227   Misusera Segamwenge      Ddayana/Poulina                                                    Luganda

FUR 7-231   Hadija Namale                 Bosa/Sente Eteganya                                              Luganda

                  with Susana Band

FUR 7-234   Joseph Kamaru                Mundi Ahikania Ari Mitino Mingi/Ndiratuire Njui         Kikuyu

                  with Mwari Wanyina

FUR 7-236   Susana Band                    Lwaki Onkyaawa/Yudaya                                        Luganda

FUR 7-250   Joseph Kamaru                 Happy Christmas and New Year/Mboco Iri Mbucha    Kikuyu

                  with Mwari Wanyinya

FUR 7-256   Charles Lijina                    Bashieni Bambui/Arusi Ya Chitsa                            Luhya

                  with Josephat & Alubala

FUR 7-275   Orch Kericho Jazz              Annet/Nsamba                                                     Luganda

FUR 7-279   Kericho Jazz                      Suzie Wapi Yo Pts 1 & 2

FUR 7-297   Tanzania Luo Band            Rapar Mar Luo Matanzania/Owigo Ogul                   Luo

FUR 7-300   Wilfred Ndirangu               Umbani Uri Thina/Waigoko                                     Kikuyu

                  with M Wagatonye

FUR 7-301   Tanzania Luo Band            Rapar Marhera/Mwalimu Jonathan Nyando              Luo

FUR 7-302   Maranga Wa Gatonye        Kiheo Ni Muoyo/Hunjiai Na Hinya                           .Kikuyu

                  with W Ndirangu

FUR 7-303   Tanzania Luo Band            Mgecha Achieg/O. Nyakuwa

FUR 307      Wilfred Ndirangu Kariuki    Thogora ni Maitho/Kirathimo Gitu                           Kikuyu

FUR 7-311   Maranga Wagatonya         Kahora Mwendwa Wakwa / ?                                  Kikuyu

                       & Ndirangu Kariuki

FUR 7-312   Maranga Wagatonye         A: Mwene Nyaga Twakuhoya                                  Kikuyu

                  & Ndirangu Kariuki            B: Wagatonye Nohindi Oka

FUR 7-314   Maranga Wa Gatonye        Mwaki Wa Tawa/Kiriiri                                           Kikuyu

                  with W Ndirangu

POP series

POP 7-109   Akech Sammy Oyosi          Milycisadeck Oloo/Manase Ombok                          Luo

                  with J. Ogara

POP 7-155  Joseph Kamaru                  Ndogathi Na Mwarigo/Muchi Nduri Kaburi                Kikuyu

                  with Mwari Wanyinya

POP 7-142  James K. Kigongo               Bana Uganda/Mwami Bakulimba                            Luganda

                 with E. Kawalya

POP 7-160  E. Kawalya & C. Mweebe     Zalwango/Obuuma                                                Luganda

                 with Hadija and Susana Band

POP 7-200    Peter Auma                      A: Daniel Owingo Gi Helen Akeyo                           Luo

MPC 398-9    with vocalist                    B: Leonard Omollo Gi Liwnida Ogony

                   C Amondi & C Kolla

POP 7-202   Orch Kericho Jazz              Wodh Seme/Ochieng Kolaka                                   Luo

John Nzenze is one of the great survivors of Kenyan music. He had a big hit with Angelika Twisti in 1962 and then, according to a report in The Nation, April 19, 2008, which you can read at http://allafrica.com/stories/200804210063.html he joined the then Nakuru-based Bongo Boys, which apparently also included Daudi Kabaka. After years in semi-retirement in Kakamega, the same report says he is about to release a new record.

Nzenze was with the Bongo Boys from 1962-64, though it is likely that FUR 7-135 was released later than that. Michiel van Oosterhout says that FUR 203 came out in 1971, supporting this suggestion.

Because none of the records are dated, it is difficult to tell whether the FUR and POP prefixes were used at the same time or whether one preceded the other chronologically.

Wilfred Ndirangu and Wagatonye also recorded for Melodica Thanks to Michiel van Oosterhout for details of the three early Luganda-language releases on this label.

Update: in September 2010 all of the Joseph Kamaru singles on this label turned up on Ebay. All had black and silver labels and clearly showed they were produced by AP Chandarana in Kericho. POP 7-202, which appeared on CD&LP.com in November 2013, is dated 1971, suggesting the label began in the 1960s.

The label name, by the way, means “joy” or “happy”.