"Aparo" by Kato Change and Lisa Oduor-Noah

Banish winter blues with this balmy collaboration between Kenyan guitarist Kato Change and vocalist Lisa Oduor-Noah.

Track of the Week "Aparo" unites the sounds of Kenyan guitarist Kato Change and vocalist Lisa Oduor-Noah in a warm and balmy collaboration. This gorgeous video is the first of a monthly series for the much-anticipated album, set for release in August. In a charming and infectious combination of English and Luo (a Kenyan dialect), “Aparo” roughly translates to “thinking” or “pondering” in the face of immense doubt. Change's fingers dance across the fretboard flirting with flavourful, jazz-infused Bossa Nova, complementing Oduor-Noah's vocal depth.

Jazz found Change at an early age, and over the years he went to exceptional lengths to commit to his craft. While listening to his father play, an ardent musician, the notes seemed to be in his blood. By the time renowned jazz-pianist Aaron Rimbui and his brother and producer, Tim, found him, Change’s skill and tone had become all the more impressive and colourful. Together with his band, The Change Quartet, he has toured New York, Addis Ababa, Rwanda and South Africa, stealing hearts along the way and sharing a bill with greats such as Fally Ipupa, Sean Kuti and Salif Keita.

We first encountered vocalist Oduor-Noah on The Nest’s Legacy compilation, where eight classic Kenyan pop songs were revisited by talented young musicians such as Patricia Kihoro, Miami Silas, Winnie Chris and Jarel Nduba. Tasked with reinterpreting K South & Fundi Frank’s “Ndai” (2004), she massaged the track into a charming rendition with ease. Her enchanting vocal range has attracted the attention of many who simply can’t get enough.

 

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