Rateng

RATENG
Kenya

Rateng is a Luo word meaning black. The band derives its name and musical strength from its fore fathers whose African music was rich and original.
The musical genre is contemporary traditional Luo music transformed into an authentic acoustic sound with a mellow vocal touch of Luo melodies and rhythms.

The band first came together in 2006 and is composed of Winyo as lead singer/guitarist, Moses as percussionist/back ground vocalist, Isaac Gem as bassist/back ground vocalist. Rateng has made several public performances, each receiving a great deal of appreciation and applause. Most of the fans acquired in this short period of time refer to the band as the true African/Kenyan band that has long been waited for. Merged together, Winyo’s soothing angelic voice, Isaac’s sensuous warm alto and Moses’ calm steady baritone produce true, mellow harmonies that leave the audience with a real sweet feel of African music. Performances include :
• The recently concluded BBC Radio Journalist of the Year Award, hosted in Nairobi Kenya.
• The Hon. Raila Odinga’s Presidential Launch (Kenya).
• Sawa Sawa Jazz festivals, along side Jazz maestro Hugh Masekhela (South Africa) and Ayub Ogada (Realworld)).
• The group won a major prize at the Sharq Taronalari Festival in Samarkand in August 2007 in a field of musicians from 60 countries.
Winyo is the lead singer/songwriter of great sensitivity who also plays acoustic guitar.
Isaac Gem is an accomplished music producer/songwriter and an excellent bass player, who has traveled around the world as former band leader for Destinee & various major Kenyan artists. Isaac Gem joined Rateng as music producer/song writer, as well as bass player and vocalist.
Moses Njuguna is a versatile percussionist/drum player, whose wit and brilliance with African drums have got him to travel the world. He is also an accomplished sound engineer,
RATENG’S GOAL
Our goal is to take African music all over the world and enliven people to dance and sing to the sweet and haunting sounds of African instruments and songs.

Rateng will launch its debut album THUMOLOGY November 2nd 2008