Kenyan label Pwani Tapes reissues Zuhura Swaleh’s taarab songs

The initiative, supported by Santuri East Africa and other well-wishers, aims to digitise and preserve the rich legacy of coastal Kenyan music originally recorded on cassette tapes.

The compilation, titled Taarab Ya Pwani, features nine tracks recorded by Zuhura & Party at the now-defunct Mbwana Radio Service in Kibokoni, Mombasa, during the early 1970s.

Pwani Tapes emerged as the musical outlet of a broader digitisation project spearheaded by Nassoro Mwinyi, a former employee of Mbwana Radio. Partnering with Santuri East Africa, Mwinyi organised fundraisers to revive and preserve the rich coastal music heritage.

“We are planning more releases this year, which will generate revenue for the artists once again,” Mwinyi said. He emphasised the urgent need for preservation, as Mombasa’s humid climate has already begun to degrade the master cassettes, some of which are over 60 years old.

Zuhura Swaleh began her music career in 1961, eventually finding her passion in taarab music. At a time when Indian and Arab-influenced taarab dominated Kenya’s coastal region, Zuhura Swaleh carved out a unique Swahili taarab style. Collaborating with instrumentalists and poets such as Mohamed Kombo, Juma Khamis “Bajees,” Sheikh Nabhany, and Khuleta, she developed a faster-paced rhythm driven by the tashkota and traditional drums, enriched with deeply meaningful lyrics.

The reissued compilation reflects this diversity, featuring contemplative tracks like ‘Silimi Tena’ and ‘Nimeota Tangamano’, alongside lighter, inventive pieces such as ‘Toba Wangu Kandi’ and the duet ‘Popo’, showcasing Zuhura’s vocal brilliance.

A cultural revival

This reissue not only celebrates the timeless artistry of Zuhura Swaleh, but also highlights the importance of preserving Kenya’s coastal musical traditions for future generations. As Pwani Tapes continues its efforts, the project promises to revive the cultural significance of taarab music and provide a platform for the legendary sounds of the past to resonate with modern audiences.

Listen to the compilation here.

Learn more about the initiative in the below documentary: