I may be way off here, but it appears that this exclusive cut from Chicago/Kenyan group Extra Golden may be taking some sort of political stance. I can't tell if it's the airy-cum-scorching guitar work, the smiling bounce of that bass or the beautifully skittering drums. Maybe it's the lyrical content - the fact that I'm not fluent in Swahili really dampens my ability to read into the lyrics any deeper. Or maybe it's just the title, which alludes to Presidential hopeful Barack Obama. Must be it. According to the Thrill Jockey press release, this new song from Extra Golden's forthcoming album, Hera Ma Nono (out October 9), is their "song of praise for the Senator from Illinois and everyone else who helped them unite in the US last fall for a debut tour and the recording of this album, the follow up to their debut, Ok-Oyot System. Such songs of praise are benga tradition." I wonder if Hilary's people are getting any response from Steve Perry yet about re-writing the lyrics to "Don't Stop Believing" in order to carry her campaign. Maybe he doesn't need to: "Just a small town girl, livin in a lonely world..."
Extra Golden "Obama"
Extra Golden "Obama"
