In the 1988 documentary film Michael Jackson- The Legend Continues, the narrator, actor James Earl Jones, aptly describes the fascination and mystique about Michael Jackson’s collective body of performances as a “Presentation of Showtime”. The only argument that can be levelled against this description of Michael Jackson is that his whole life was a presentation of Showtime, and not just the magic he unleashed on stage or through his signature vocals that brought to life his music that continues to transcend generations of millions of fans around the world.

It’s hard to truly appreciate both the magnetism and the reality of such a statement until you personally experience the magic of an individual who has most definitely earned the right to be considered the greatest entertainer on earth. Not many people had the privilege of witnessing in person, the phenomenon that is “Whacko Jacko”, and for those who did, they will continue to bear witness to a magnificent talent and a consummate professional who despite being deeply troubled, arguably gave up any semblance of a normal life to provide the world with the gift of music that is destined to be immortal in its truest sense.

What can you say about such a person? The first thing that comes to mind for me is the sadness this brings and the profound irony that in death, Michael Jackson is literally uniting the world as hundreds of millions of fans and non-fans alike from all corners of the world, mourn the passing of the greatest superstar we will ever know, yet Michael died a very sad, lonely and broken man.

A lot has been written out there about every aspect of the saga of Michael’s life and death, and as a shameless fan of the man and his music, I would be lying if I said I haven’t been affected by his demise. Perhaps there’s nothing as therapeutic as expressing in my own words, my experiences and how the man, his life and his music influenced me. Call it my own little Stone Cold tribute to the enigma that is Whacko Jacko!

Michael Jackson

I went back to 1988 because that was the year my dad surprised us and came back from a business trip abroad with the first VCR the family owned. Before then, I had to be content with wishing that a day would come when I could credibly hold conversations with other kids in the school playground and talk from an informed position of having a VCR at home. You see, I think my folks were cruel in that by striving for the best for their children, they took us to school right across the rail tracks, to a school where class and social identity was more important in reality, than the performance in the classroom…or at least that’s what it seemed to be.

It was hard to cope in such an environment where kids were talking about stuff I couldn’t even pronounce and constantly bragging about the videos they saw over the weekend, so you can picture the excitement in Stone Snr’s household when the VCR landed, particularly since no one expected it. More importantly, dad had taken his time to pick a sample of some low budget tired movies that escape my mind, as well as a variety of music video collections from well known artists of the day such as Elton John, Phil Collins, Madonna, Julio Iglesias, and to illustrate his tired taste, he didn’t forget his favourites like Jim Reeves and Dolly Parton among others.

While scrambling through our first collection of video tapes with that cheeky contempt that a teenager would have for his parent’s tired and old fashioned taste in anything – there it was – sitting pretty at the bottom of the pile. A double video pack of Michael Jackson – The Legend Continues, and the collection of Videos from his sister – Janet Jackson’s hit album, Control.

Naturally, I homed in on the Janet album…Who wouldn’t. She was hot and I challenge any male teenager or grown man for that matter to deny they wouldn’t get a boner just from watching the videos in that collection, especially the Pleasure Principle, but I digress…. The Legend Continues video did it for me. Dad knew we loved Michael Jackson, and give him credit for not disappointing.

If there was ever any crime for over-playing a single video, I think I can comfortably lay claim to hold some sort of record of over playing the Jacko documentary. I could probably narrate it word for word.

The only comparison I had with the collection of material on that video at that time was the Thriller movie – though some would insist on calling it a music video. I think I had only seen the entire Thriller video a couple of times at a friend’s place or something, but I was more than content that we had samples of both the making of Thriller and clips from the video itself. That did the trick for me, though I decided I was going to collect anything Michael Jackson that I could get my hands on.

Even from watching the documentary, it was very safe to rationalize that my obsession with the man was not a sad monopoly. I can remember thinking I would never get to the stage of some of the footage on that video of fans crying their guts out because Michael had touched them, or because they simply saw him and he waved, or in some cases, grown people clearly fainting and passing out simply by seeing him. Pictures I’m told, are worth a thousand words and there was no denying the sheer impact this enigma of a human being was having on fans around the world. No normal person had the power to influence and move people the way Jacko did, but you can probably understand why this is so, considering for example that in the immediate period after his death:

• AT&T suggest that only in the USA , 65,000 sms messages were being sent per second.
• 22% of Twitter messages were about Michael Jackson.
• Google had to block any searches of Michael Jackson to stop their servers from thinking they were under an attack.
• The speed of the internet literally slowed down as millions of users around the world desperately tried to look for information

July 31st 1992 was the day that made me realize Jacko was larger than life, and whatever I’d seen of him on video was no illusion. Through a radio competition a week earlier (being anal about the man does have its advantages you know), I was lucky to receive complementary tickets Pepsi were throwing around to promote Jacko’s Dangerous World Tour. The only major concert I’d been to in my life was in 1987 when Jermaine Jackson and the legendary Franco and his TPOK Jazz band performed at the grand opening concert of Kasarani Sports Complex in Nairobi leading up to the All Africa Games that year. I wouldn’t have otherwise bothered if it wasn’t the fact that Jacko was on stage, and a cynical part of me wanted to go and find out for myself what all this fuss was about.

My only interaction with Wembley was what I knew from watching the FA Cup football matches being screened on the Road to Wembley shows on TV back home. The folks at the radio station had said that I had won a gem of tickets and I will thoroughly enjoy myself – but again, my arrogant self thought that they probably said this to every Tom, Dick and Harry who won concert tickets for any gig.

I don’t know what I expected when I got off the train at Wembley Park, but by the time I got to Wembley Way, it was already clear that the party for the London leg of the Dangerous World Tour had started. Folks didn’t seem to mind being fleeced by hawkers lined up through the Way to the arena with anything Michael Jackson from T-shirts to clearly fake memorabilia…LOL! Everyone was just excited and swinging into the party mode. After I got comfortable with a few folks I met on the way, we all vowed to hang out together as we were in the same ticket section.

Dangerous World Tour

By the time Carmina Burana, the classical hit by Carl Orff was pumping as an intro through the massive speakers around the arena, there was absolutely no doubt that this was no average show. This wasn’t a tired “concert” that we’ve come to get used to say from wanna be African artists who jump on stage miming backing tracks in a tired and dingy joint in East London. There was method in the madness we were about to witness.

Before hand, we had been looking at some pamphlets being distributed about the Dangerous World Tour, and I guess publishing the tour facts and statistics was a deliberate strategy to “shock and awe” our asses into the mood. It was hard to understand how Jacko’s stage would require 2 747 jumbo jets to fly it around the world, until you got to see that stage and the sets on it. This was no ordinary concert and the choice of Carmina Burana as a shall we say – blood pressure raising and adrenaline pumping intro did the trick.

No one expected what was to follow in a stunt that we later came to know is called “The Toaster”. Short of looking for the panther that was roaring on stage with a powerful microphone (LOL), everyone was duped to assume that Black or White was to be the first song, as it’s the only song folks knew that Jacko used a panther in the video. The shock and awe was completed with Jacko being dramatically catapulted onto the stage from a trap door amidst a blast of pyrotechnics.

“What the Fuck!” was the only thing I vaguely remember thinking, and right through the first performance (I think it was Jam), I was still in shock and awe. I doubt if I recovered from it as I was dancing my ass off and screaming out “Anasema anataka sambusa” with some 60 something year old white hared guy to my right by the time Jacko was performing Wanna be starting something.

Two things stuck out for me as the concert went into full flow. First, it was the sound quality of the gig. It was almost like the sound was beating to your heart and you could feel the base pumping as you go. It was loud, but it was not intrusive or annoying. The sound was well balanced and regardless of how powerful the sound system was, it was clear that it was a well coordinated part of the showpiece. I guess the best way to describe this is by saying that you were feeling the music. The second thing that was crystal clear and in Technicolor is that the young man on stage was the greatest dancer and entertainer you were ever likely to see on this planet. WOW! When they say Jacko’s dancing seems to defy the laws of physics, that was not an illusion or overstatement. Jacko could dance and this was nothing like you saw on the Smooth Criminal or Remember the Time music videos. Seeing it live was out of this planet.

I had my answer all around me to the question “How is it possible that people could lose the plot because of this human being”. It’s a reflex and involuntary action. You don’t know you’re doing it coz the atmosphere and electricity around you sucks you in. You find yourself hugging the next person and locking into a dance move and you find yourself screaming the lyrics of the song. You see people around you screaming and crying like babies who’ve just had their favourite toy snatched from them, while other overwhelmed folks who have fainted are passed over your head like a sack of potatoes to the nearest first aid point on the sidelines.

There were other magical moments that linger in the mind especially the quality and meticulous detail that went into creating sets for individual songs and the seamless change in between. The fact that it was happening live in front of the crowd made it more of the spectacle it deserved to be.

I think it was after he performed human nature with the crowd waving (a significant amount of them holding lighters flickering above their heads) when the lights on stage blacked out for a few seconds – and when they came back on – two chaps with huge brooms swept across the stage from one side to the other and then the lights blacked out again for a few seconds. When they came back on, Jacko and his 4 dancers were all dressed in their Smooth Criminal regalia – him the light suit with a blue arm band and the rest in similar Mafioso style suits. Despite the unbelievable dancing being unleashed on stage – all you could do is open your mouth wide in wonderment with that “how the fuck did they do that so quickly” look on your face. It was unbelievable. As they seem to say in recent years (shows my age…LOL!), it was off the hinges.

I remember thinking Gitonga is totally useless…LOL! Side bar here if I may…Gitosh was a legendary cheer leader in high school and his signature tune that he cheered the rugby crowds with was none other than Smooth Criminal. Gitosh though , with the help of the crowd, sang the entire tune in Kikuyu…You had to love the act, there was no other option. Gitosh even pulled the famous slap on the thigh, a lift of the thigh with a swift jig of the hips in imitation of one of Jacko’s signature moves as the crowd roared “You’ve been hit by, Umegongwa – na Muici Munyoroku!” (You’ve been hit by, you’ve been struck by, a smooth criminal)

But standing and watching the man himself perform the song, Gitosh had no toe to stand on. Jacko was the genius and trying to compare what was happening on stage with Gitosh’s comedy was absolutely no justice to Jacko.

After performing Smooth Criminal, Jacko threw his Stetson into the crowd like a Frisbee after toying with the crowd about which direction he’ll throw it. The person who caught it was mobbed though I think they were prepared to die for it…LOL! and you literally lost count of the number of panties and other items of clothing being thrown on stage. What was funny is either when he moved to one side of the stage or during a change of set or intermission, someone collected the panties and stuff off stage like they were being paid to do it and it was normal…this was something they were used to and their only concern was probably that Jacko might trip on them when dancing so they had to be removed.

The concert did not even attempt to disappoint at the end as during his performance of the last track Man in the mirror, the stage behind him and to his side was being set up for what seemed to be a rocket launch. It was like a scene out of NASA and what was surreal is that he was performing man in the mirror oblivious of what was happening around him with the folks giving an impression that something galactic was about to happen. People were walking around on stage with headsets and clipboards, giving others different directions etc., before finally Jacko was asked to put on what seemed to be a space suit. In the midst of the chaos on stage, what seemed to be a rocket belt was then put on him and a launch sequence was started – counting down to zero. This concert had dramatically changed to a live movie without anyone even noticing.

As the launch sequence hit zero, the rocket belt lit up and the man in the space suit took off and literally flew outside the stadium as pyrotechnics mesmerized the crowd before a commanding voice over the sound system declared “ladies and Gentlemen – Mr. Michael Jackson has left the stadium”.

The only disappointment was that we were later to discover that the person who flew out in a space suit was stunt man Kinnie Gibson and not Jacko, but then again, in between wondering at what point did Jacko switch with the stunt man, how do you not get mesmerized and totally blown in shock and awe of a once in a lifetime show like that. That was no concert…that was a damn movie…LOL! I concluded on that day that there will never be a show that magically captivates and drives people crazy like that one did. It was one of them moments in life that you think back and say – WOW, I was there!

So what is it about this enigma of a human being who through life and in death continues to captivate people all around the world?

I think it was Quincy Jones who when asked to comment about Jacko’s death said something like (and I paraphrase) “Michael doesn’t come along once in a while or once in a generation. He isn’t one in a million. He is just one. There will never be another Michael Jackson”.

You can’t argue with that, and perhaps one of the consequences of Jacko being just “the one” is that his whole life was a media spectacle. Since the age of 5, he has known nothing else but to live his life in the spotlight. And it’s also no surprise that with his talent and ability to mesmerize he is a global phenomenon in life and death.

Jacko wasn’t just an influence in the lives of those who had the ability to watch his videos or follow his soap opera of a life in the western media. If you travelled to any village in any corner of this planet – whether it was the indigenous communities of the Amazon, or the remote villages say in Jirapa in northern Ghana, or the far reaches of Chittagong in Bangladesh, or the bundux of Gulu district in Uganda – the only globally recognized brand that could rival the global reach of Michael Jackson is Coca-Cola.

Having a soap opera of a life inevitably has its consequences and like many other public figures of fascination like Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Princess Grace of Monaco and Diana Princess of Wales, Jacko did not disappoint in his exit off stage by going out in a blaze of controversy – almost as if it was part of the plot of his soap opera.

His mystery of his life and how he lived it was therefore a constant fascination to the global media who were always looking for a story to sell, and as drama goes, the more controversial, the better the copy will sell. There was never any doubt that Jacko knew how to work the system to his advantage – it was his job as a show man, and he revelled in it. Jacko was savvy enough to manipulate the media to suit the project of marketing himself, but he was also a true living testament that if you live by the sword, it is very possible that you will die by it.

His latter years in life were shrouded by different scandals, and I think that when reflecting on his whole life and what purpose Jacko served on this planet, it is very unfair to equate his life to the scandals of child abuse allegations that dogged him in recent years. My take on this is that Jacko stood in front of a jury of his peers and answered to these allegations, and his peers acquitted him of all charges – and as much as the continuation of the scandal provides a constant talking point, the man was acquitted and he remains innocent.

The two aspects to his life couldn’t be more contrasting. On the one hand, the only place Jacko was ever comfortable was on stage. He owned the stage and once he was in performance mode, there was never any doubt that you were looking at a genius and a dedicated professional who will stop at nothing to entertain the world because that was the only thing he knew.

The cost of being the enigma he was on stage was that he never grew up, and refused to give himself a chance to grow up – but then again, who are we to judge and lay blame. This was someone who had their childhood totally yanked from them and while other kids played in the park, he was sweating his guts out in rehearsals and on stage, and as a grown man, he never seemed to want to give up on rebuilding that childhood that was stolen from him.

It was that innocence and naivety that eventually signalled the beginning of the end for him with one of the fatal blows being the day that he met a one Martin Bashir. A long time friend of Jacko, the illusionist Uri Geller confesses that his biggest regret was introducing Bashir to Jacko – after Bashir begged and pleaded for that introduction to a sad point of even presenting a crumpled note, apparently hand written by Diana Princess of Wales vouching for Bashir as “good guys”.

It’s my belief that the domino effect of that subsequent Martin Bashir documentary – Living with Michael Jackson – is what landed Jacko on the slab in the autopsy room of the Los Angeles coroner’s office.

Jacko had always had a troubled existence behind closed doors – whether it was his dependency on pain killers – or his awkward and non-conventional life choices – but the last 6 years had been an unbearable burden on the man that was to eventually break him down.

“This is it” the series of London concerts at the O2 arena seemed an apt way for the King of Pop to rise from the stooper that dogged his recent life. I must admit, when I heard he was to do 50 shows, the first thought was that it was a ludicrous idea. 15 20 years ago, he used to do 50 or so shows but over a period of 2 years…and frankly speaking, it’s not that he was a spring chicken any more. The dude was 50.

There was also the risk that with his crocked body, maintaining the level and quality of performances that he had previously done was an extremely tall order at 50, and coupled with his recent personal drama and lifestyle, this was going to be a step too far even for the King.

They say God works in mysterious ways and maybe with his sense of humour, God found a way of not only relieving Jacko off his very sad, lonely and broken existence – but he also found a way to preserve his legacy and music in a way that guarantees Jacko will never be forgotten.

God was kind to Whacko Jacko. The man needed to rest and God obliged. Jacko had already given us all his life, and maybe it was time for him to have it back in peace.

Seeing that folks are all getting lovey dovey and using every excuse under the sun to try and get some for Valentines day, I thought it might be good to get into the groove with a love song selection – or as they call it in the maze plantation, shika shika time selection.

In no particular order…I hope you enjoy what I’d play for you and your partner if I was your DJ for tonight….

1. My my my by Mr. Johnny Gill

Without a doubt, one of the best talents of the legends of love music…and a nice strong voice to boot. We need another legend to take over from Luther Vandross so hope he permanently comes out of retirement. This song reminds me of many moons ago when my girlfriend at the time loved Johnny Gill so much she said it was so bad that she could cut his head off and put it in the freezer just so she could see him every day. Needless to say, we did part ways…LOL!

2. Have you ever by Brandy

What a voice? This young lady will top my list of all time favourite vocalists any time.

3. Rock me tonight (for old times sake) by Mr. Freddie Jackson

Now how can this song not do it for you. I tell you, panties have fallen around the world coz’ of this tune. Good ol’ Freddie.

4. He is by Heather Headley

Ladies, if you’ve got a good man who loves you, this song is one to dedicate to him. Make sure you’re singing the lyrics out loud to him if you want to stroke his ego…just for Valentines day only, otherwise he’ll get used to it.

5. For you by Kenny Lattimore

Definitely a contender for the Capital FM (Nairobi) “Lie like a man” gag….any guy who sings the lyrics of this song to a woman on Valentines day (as opposed to any other regular day) is probably lying like a nonsense…but hey, if it gets you into her panties (shrug) do what you have to do to make her happy on Valentines day.

6. I love me some him by Toni Braxton

Good ol’ Toni. Always dependable when it comes to unleashing some serious love songs. She’s got a dirty mind too if she wants to…but a good old fashioned slow jam to get you into the mood anyway.

7. Last night by Az Yet

Plucked right out of the Nutty Professor Soundtrack – without a doubt a song that doesn’t need explanation or one that masks intent with mob mooshy lyrics. It simply talks about being inside of you…go figure….And by the way, its intresting to note that President Obama’s “Chief of Stuff” (or his bodyman) has the same name Reggie Love, as Eddie Murphy’s alter ego in the Nutty Professor movie…but I digress. Last night it was.

8. Stroke you up by Changing faces

A favourite from back in the days of my mis-spent youth. Lots of memories from the days when R Kelly and Keith Sweat were in their element as producers…The sort of song that used to give guys boners hadharani.

9. Someone to love by Jon B featuring Babyface

Without a doubt one of my fav songs…and another one that reminds me of the more romantic days of my mis-spent youth and self perceived prowess with them of the fairer sex. A good tune to romance to.

10. Red light special by TLC

This song is just outright dirty…LOL! Decent enough if you’re not really paying attention – but with lyrics like “I’ll let you touch if you wanna go down, and I’ll let you go further if you take the south route”…yeah, further to the red light special – go figure.

Now if you don’t get laid with all these props on Valentines day…..Hhhhmmmm!

It seems ages since I was last accused of being as old as a railway line (chuma ya reli) for unleashing an old school play list that brought my age to question. I thought this week, I’d relax with a few easy listening rock classics (yeah! I’m that way inclined sometimes)…so come rock with me.

1. Your beautiful by James Blunt

This is actually my wife’s favourite song. Maybe its her way of getting me to sing the lyrics to her time and time again…and believe me, the effort is worth the while each time round (if you catch my drift). I like the simplicity of the song though…nice and easy and very passionate.

2. Torn by Natalie Imbruglia

Just like with Mary, there’s something about this song that does it for me. In fact, I’ll go as far as saying its one of my all time favourite songs. Don’t know what it is, but perhaps its just Natalie, and especially those lips. I always believed she was a hit even as far back in her days on Neighbours (do folks still watch that show?), but I think its those lips. They’re just designed for action or as Apingo Nyawawa (long story) would say, they’re very nyonyarable…(and wipe that smirk off your face…LOL).

3. Always by Bon Jovi

Very few people will contest that Jon Bon Jovi deserves his legendary status in this wonderful world of rock music. This song is just one reason why. It’s the sort of song you’d love blasting out of the juke box (not too loud, but loud enough for you not to hear the next conversation), while you sit down on a stool by the bar counter contemplating how your day has been…And did I mention that cold pint of beer to go with it?

4. Give into me by Michael Jackson (shorter video clip)

Very rare occasions will beat the “I was there – once in a lifetime” moments that we experience, say for instance, President Obama’s inauguration as the first black resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, or the funeral of Diana Princess of Wales. Me thinks that a good contender for a “I was there moment” is any Michael Jackson live concert. Granted, off the stage, he’s let’s just say, probably on his own galaxy…but on stage, the man deserves due respect for what he did on stage.

Give into me was one of them examples that I was lucky enough to see live as part of his UK Dangerous tour in 1992. I used to wonder how folks were stupid enough to lose the plot coz’ of a performing artist, but my answers came in the form of the 60 something year old grandfather boogying his ass off next to me at Wembley Arena…I didn’t even notice myself screaming….

This is the sort of song you blast full volume when you’re home alone on Saturday, walking around naked and doing some cleaning up while miming to the song…and when the neighbour peeks to confirm to himself if he’s seeing what he just thought he saw….you turn around facing him with the mop – imitating Slash playing that guitar while wearing that “WTF! smirk on your face)…LOL!

5. Ironic by Alanis Morissette

I remember this song intimately because of some dramas of my mis-spent youth. If there’s a dangerous thing to do, its walking into an Australian pub in London to watch Australia play New Zealand in rugby on big screen whilst wearing an All Blacks rugby Jersey. My mitigation was that my Kiwi mates Jimbo and Gary (who dared me to pull this off with them) were also as stupid as I was with their All Blacks Jerseys. Needless to say, the mighty All Blacks won the match and Jimbo, Gary and myself got away with having to perform like Alanis Morissette on tables (blame the alcohol) cheered on by a pub full of Aussies (talk about ironic). Good times those were – if only football fans were as civil as rugby fans.

6. Breakfast at Tiffanys by Deep Blue Something

This is one of them songs that just grows on you and before you know it, you find yourself singing the chorus at the top of your voice. Another pub classic that gets the lads and lasses thinking they’re rock stars after only a few pints. But its the kind of song that makes you not regret going to the pub on a Friday night.

7. More than words by Extreme

This song has kinda got that effect that Bob Marley’s Redemption song gives you. Nice, easy and simple, that’s what I’ve always loved about it. Just two geezers sitting down with a guitar and singing some deep stuff. Listen to this and tell me you don’t find this classic loveable. It’s the sort of song that gets other folks in a traffic jam turning around to look at you when you’re blasting it out loud and singing along to it in the car, and you can see that twinkle in their eyes saying “Damn you…that song is cool…”.

8. (What if God was) one of us by Joan Osborne

This song took its time but it grew on me after a while. I sometimes surprise myself when I find myself just singing out to the lyrics while working or doing whatever. It even made some business associates think I was losing the plot when I was clearly enjoying the night out at Stake Out, a club in Kampala, Uganda. See, they had thought I was upset coz’ I didn’t like the roast pork that is legendary in Kampala (give me proper goat nyam chom any time), so its no surprise when they kept giving me daggers while I enjoyed my rock music….what did they expect taking me out to a rock night on a Thursday evening?

9. (Don’t look back in anger) So Sally can wait by Oasis

The only downside to Noel and Liam Gallagher is that they’re Manchester City fans. If only they were gooners. Never the less, this track is one that you can’t miss in any pub juke box and one of them that you find yourself singing aloud like the guy propped up on the bar stool next to you without even realising it.

10. Don’t let go by En Vogue

Again, this is a song that grows on you after a while. From the destinys children of the 90′s – a nice good solid track that feels good being blasted when home alone or in the car. I like the guitar in it and its prominence in the song, and I think it was the only decent track of the album it was on…but all in all, a nice classic track thats a competitor for one of my other favourite En Vogue songs, Runaway love.

Now doesn’t that just make you feel better?

Oh wy owh why owh why – the earlier post and visiting Val’s blog has made me nostalgic.

Well, when it comes to past-times, the only competition to my love for Arsenal football club is old school music. Val’s thread on oldies brought back some memories…so I’m on the role….

Here’s some of my favourites….in no particular order

Let’s see how old school you are or if you can remember some of these master pieces
HEALTH WARNING: “Some of these songs were hits even before some readers started eating solid foods….LOL!”

1. Lover turn me on (I just got to have yu) by Kashif

This song is only done justice by listening in a night club with a proper sound system….guaranteed to get you off your seat and shaking what your momma gave you…. Kweli Kashif was one of a rare breed.

2. Let’s hear it for the boy by Deniece Williams

I got hooked on this song when the first wave of funky matatus hit the streets in the mid80′s….LOL! I was still in primary school but used to wait for this nissan mat no. 23 to Kangemi for my daily trip to and from school – I think it was called Iron Eagle – and M used to play this song for me everytime I was in the mat coz’ he liked me.

3. Saturday night by T-Connection

Now this is strictly pure soul – none of that pretend stuff…..definitely designed for a disco.

4. Just an illusion by Imagination

Nothing more you can say about this track….pure class – I didn’t realise for a while that Imagination were a British group…..apart from Soul to Soul and Loose Ends (which might have as well been Soul to Soul coz’ Caron Wheeler was their lead singer), soul didn’t really jump out at you from Britain….

5. Takes a lil time by Total contrast

Most def one for the dance floor…..

6. I wanted your love by Luther Vandross

I remember this song very well in 83/84 when it hit the air waves – alongside Don’t look any further and thriller….LOL! I think them KBC (or is it VOK) DJs killed it by over playing it like they did Ray Parker Jnr’s Ghost busters….(And don’t ask me how old I was….I loved music from the time I could walk – he says)…. But even now – this track bounces in a club proper.

7. Just got paid by Johnny Kemp

Talk about the king of one hit wonders….kweli this guy got paid after this song and just left for good….LOL!

8. Hot shot (Gor biro like a rocket) by Jimmy Cliff

Aaahh! Gor biro like a rocket – Biro nyamo abandu) – Damn! This was a hit them days AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia were like Man U and Arsenal. Going to a football match at City Stadium or Nyayo Stadium was a big deal (I should right about this on another post….LOL), even if your parents never knew where you were….

9. Pink cadillac (Remix) by Natalie Cole

Whenever I hear Pink Cadillac, it reminds me of Carnivore in the days that proper DJ’s still used to use vinyl (non of this CD and MP3 stuff) – Don’t be Cruel by Bobby Brown was number 1 all over the shop, chicks were trying to dress like Salt n’ Pepa in clubs coz Push it was a big hit, and others dislocated their shoulders trying to pop them dancing like them 3 guys in the Mac Band video of Roses are red….LOL!

10. Trapped by Colonel Abrams

This guy was the bomb…LOL! But now that you think of it….its ridiculous for a grown man who claims to have a military officer’s title to be trapped like a fool in a cage and doesn’t have a clue about what to do….

Now doesn’t that just take you back….LOL! More when I’m feeling nostalgic again.

When I’m feeling like my headspace is being crowded by mob issues – music does wonders. This last week I’ve been rewinding this playlist in the car and at home…for some reason it makes me happy.

1. Muzina by Tabu Ley Rochereau

I was surprised to find out that Muzina is actually a gospel song….good ol’ Tabu Ley. Couldn’t stand you when growing up but I guess my folks already knew you were the stuff of legend.

2. Nadina by Mbilia Bel

Now here’s an African Queen. Forget these wanna be celebs that think they’ve made it coz’ they’ve been on TV….Shiiit! I’ve been on TV too….And boy she was beautiful.

3. [ Adia by Oliver Ngoma

This is a good song to shikamana on the dance floor with….though I sometimes think Ikola is a more club friendly hit….

4. Riziki by Ja Mnasi

Now this is Kenyan authenticity at its best. There’s just something about Ja Mnasi that drives me nuts….maybe its the fact that they shamelessly ooze that authenticity as Kenyan, a character trait that we should do much more to embrace, or the insightful and reflective lyrics, or just the calmness in its delivery…..I love this song, so much so that its my ring tone….Yu should here folks who don’t understand it asking me “What is Supaa Supaa” when I sing along to the ring tone…I just tell them if you supaa supaa, utapata mwana si wako….

5. Umqombothi by Yvonne Chaka Chaka

Now here again is another African queen….Take’s me back to the days of “Yours for the asking” and the music time shows by the blackest man in black Africa – Mr. Fred Obachi Machoka – Come to think of it, in those times of tumaring salaams, there always seemed to be salaams sent to Agneta Machinga and Robbie Ruben Robbie…Kwani everyone knew these two folks?

6. I surrender by Pat Shange

I think this guy got a raw deal and didn’t get the credit he deserved….a bit like Kelly Brown….Damn, now that was a Kenyan celeb….him and his jerry curl – maybe I should look for his hit “My love keeps taking me higher”.

7. Cavalier Solitaire by JB Mpiana feat. Papa Wemba

Nice and easy by two lyrical Congolese legends. Apparently, Papa Wemba’s voice is so flexible and versatile coz’ he used to travel with and learn from his mother who was a professional “crier”. I don’t know that such people existed, but apparently, you can hire a crier to professionally wail and cry during a funeral. Well, as long as it creates jobs….

8. Yeke Yeke by Mory Kante

Now this one is a relic of the matatu funk days….the days it was cool to listen to Sidney Youngblood and Jamtronic, the days Gor Mahia was a force in Africa, effortlessly beating some of the great legends of Africa like Zamalek of Egypt and Esperance of Tunisia….Yeah! The days it ws cool to wear a box cut on your head and think it was the bomb….The days we used to take girls for dates during the day coz’ they had to be home by 5.45 pm before their parents got back home from work…..

Aaahhh! I feel better just by writing this post….