Kenyan jazzist Jack Muguna goes deep with Journey of the Soul

5 May 2021 - 16:57

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

Respected among his contemporaries as a sophisticated composer and guitarist, Jack Muguna is indispensable in Kenya’s jazz scene. His debut album Journey of the Soul arrived in March and is a towering achievement that defines the evolution of jazz in the country.

Jack Muguna.

Journey of the Soul is a solid achievement, which Muguna owes to his influencers Jimmy Dludlu, Jonathan Butler, Earl Klugh, Norman Brown and Andreas Öberg. He also credits trumpeter MacKinley Mutsembi, who produced and played on this album, among his biggest motivators.

Muguna is allied to big Kenyan jazz acts like Eddie Gray, James Gogo, Kato Change, Juma Tutu and the Nairobi Horns Project. Over the years, he has also worked with the late Hugh Masekela, pianist extraordinaire Victor Dey Jr and Isaiah Katumwa – encounters that formed his vision for jazz.

Journey of the Soul is a superb introduction to Muguna’s solo career, which launched seven years ago after he left Sarabi, the Afro-fusion band he co-founded in 2005. The 11-track album begins with ‘Prelude’, which quickly sets the stage for what’s to come – an effortless smooth acoustic composition that could be used as a lesson in technique for aspiring guitarists. ‘Voices’ offers something of a stylistic departure, with a contemporary makeover of traditional music from the Kamba tribe in Kenya’s east, demonstrating the musician’s acuity for melodic invention and ability to transition from one sub-genre to the next. It features the first of several appearances by pianist Stevo Mwanzia, whose fingers move across the keyboard with uncanny fluency and precision.

‘Viken’ and ‘Zouk for Rabai’ have the most compelling melodies on this offering. The former’s melody is inspired by Scandinavian music while the latter is a tribute to Muguna’s long-time friend and musician Rabai Mokua, who plays the saxophone on the entire album.

On the technically impressive title track, which reminds the listen of ’70s fusion bands like Return to Forever and Mahavishnu Orchestra, Mokoua and Mutsembi take turns to play solos accompanied by a light articulated groove and chorded guitar parts. Listening to two masters snake their way through the tune is entertaining to say the least.

‘Eston’ is the album’s centrepiece with enough instrumental diversity to charm the listener. The wandering piano lines by Dey Jr stand out while the mid-tempo shuffle beat provided by Tanzanian drummer Emmanuel Yekobo, who plays with superstar Diamond Platnumz, perfectly complements the guitar work and solid bassline. The isikuti, a traditional sound from Western Kenya, informs the chorus while the bridge goes into pure swing.

The album’s only vocal track is ‘The One That Got Away’ – a sumptuous jazz ballad that captures the feeling of lost love and features Muguna’s friend and multi-instrumentalist James Gogo. The song makes a second appearance at the end of the album, but this time as an instrumental.

Journey to the Soul is enchanting with Muguna's forward-thinking approach to improvisation – a key aspect that will ensure that he continues to be one of the leaders of jazz in Kenya.

Listen to Journey of the Soul here.