KMRU: Opaquer (Dagoretti)

Together, KMRU and Dagoretti Records offer our favorite discoveries of 2020.  The label name comes from the intersection of three large pathways in Nairobi, as well as the Swahili pronunciation of “The great.”  These meanings also help articulate what makes KMRU’s work so compelling.  

KMRU’s music shares much in common with the post-ambient world of electronic music (see Touch and all of the assorted labels and conversations they’ve helped to inspire). But in its utilization of field recording, Opaquer offers a hyper-focus on detail with understated gestures towards melody, rhythm and musicality. The most effective and unique moments in Opaquer involve when the non-musical and the musical approach a dialogue, while maintaining a critical distance.  In a crowded genre, KMRU opens up much needed space .  

 From the one-sheet: 

 We are intensely excited to bring the sounds of Nairobi based sound artist KMRU to the world.  Joseph Kamaru is a Kenyan musician who takes found sounds and field recordings and knits them together into nuanced audio collages.  KMRU is at the forefront of an exciting scene of African electronic music pioneers.  

* KMRU’s other release from 2020, Peel on Editions Mego, sold out almost immediately.  Don’t sleep on Opaquer.  

**Dagoretti’s Pete Larson has gathered together an international roster of artists that, we assume, reflects his “other” work as an academic and epidemiologist. Prior to Dagoretti, Larson ran the Bulb imprint.