Scratch to Reveal

Last updated
Scratch To Reveal
Scratch To Reveal album cover.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 17, 2008 (Kenya)
Recorded2007–2008
Genre House, disco, hip hop, electronica
Length43:50
Label Rauka Music
Producer Just a Band

Scratch to Reveal was released by Kenyan house/funk trio Just A Band in 2008.

Contents

Combining features of disco, funk and electronica, this was the first studio album by the Kenyan trio. The album includes "Oh Ndio", a remix of a song by defunct Kenyan pop group Five Alive. [1]

Album information

Scratch to Reveal was initially slated for a May 10, 2007 release. This release date was pushed to May 17.

The album starts off with the disco/house vibes of "Fly" and "Oh Ndio", explores softer acoustic tones towards the middle and returns to the disco feel with "Lights*Music*Stars". "Iwinyo Piny" appears as a bonus track, and a hidden track appears at the end of the album.

Reception

Scratch to Reveal received generally positive reviews, garnering a five-star rating from WAPI Times, who described it as "full of dancy house gems laced with a little bit of industrial techno and drum and bass." [2] Drum Magazine called it "a break from tradition, the trio have done a record completely devoid of the usual pseudo-reggae influences...truly avant-garde." [3] Adam Magazine called it "a pleasant departure from usual Kenyan music." [4] Just A Band's Single "Hey", off the album Scratch To Reveal was released on October 22, 2008. It was first played on Citizen TV's Power Breakfast. Hey is a powerful song with a powerful track and out of the ordinary actors to back it. The story of an ordinary guy, missing his girlfriend is portrayed by two puppets 'Boflo' and 'Katunge'. Boflo is professing his undying love for Katunge and calls all other girls 'Kadhalika' which roughly translated means etc...

Track listing

  1. "Fly" – 3:52
  2. "Oh Ndio" – 3:28
  3. "Maro Pa More" – 3:24
  4. "FunkyFineBeautiful" – 3:24
  5. "Do You Mind" – 2:39
  6. "Hey!" – 3:49
  7. "Bye Bye" – 3:54
  8. "If I Could" – 3:05
  9. "Twende Kazi" – 3:47
  10. "Have You Seen Her?" – 3:20
  11. "Lights*Music*Stars" - 3:51
  12. "Iwinyo Piny" (bonus track) - 3:34
  13. "Beba Na Finje" (hidden track) - 1:29

Personnel

Just a Band Vocals, Instrumentation
Liz OgumboVocals
Diana NdubaVocals
Sarah MitaruVocals
LiamVocals
Manjeru MainaVocals

Production

Executive producersJust a Band
MixingJust a Band, Eric Musyoka
InstrumentationJust a Band, Andrew Ngatia Wanjohi, David Gitoho, Eddie Grey, Livi Kantingima
Photography/Package Design Jim Chuchu

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References

  1. Rotich, Juliana. "Interview with Just-a-Band on Kenyan Animation and Music Part I". Afromusing. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  2. "Boom Bap". WAPI Times. August 9, 2008. Retrieved September 14, 2008.
  3. "Must Hear". Drum Magazine. July 1, 2008. Retrieved September 14, 2008.
  4. "Reviews". Adam Magazine. September 2, 2008. Retrieved September 14, 2008.