Remmy Ongala called his sound "ubongo beat," since "ubongo" means "brain" in Swahili and this was music with conscience and groove. Songs for the Poor Man was the band's first album to feature lyrics in English as well as Swahili, and the first recorded in the West. Here is a band firing on all cylinders: a bassist, saxophonist, three percussionists, and three guitarists delivering an East African take on soukous, while giving their leader's distinctive rasp the space to soar.
Release date:
August 5, 2022
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Cartridges - Top Picks
A selection of turnatble cartridges that provide great performance and sound quality
-
Edifier R1280DB Powered Speakers
Combining classic design with modern Bluetooth connectivity, built-in amplification and versatile inputs, these speakers deliver rich, balanced sound.
-
Ortofon 2M Blue Premounted
Mounted on the SH-4 Black Headshell, this setup delivers exceptional clarity, dynamic range, and accurate sound reproduction.
-
Pro-Ject Phono Box DC Pre-Amp
Compact, high-performance phono preamplifier for both MM and MC cartridges, delivering a clean, detailed signal with minimal noise.
-
Nobsound Little Bear T7 Tube Preamp
Delivers rich, warm audio through its high-quality vacuum tubes, featuring multiple inputs and adjustable gain
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Alter Bridge Alter Bridge [2xLP]
Napalm Records
January 9, 2026 -
Good Charlotte Motel Du Cap (Amazon Exclusive)
Atlantic
August 8, 2025 -
Indigo De Souza Precipice
Loma Vista Recordings
July 25, 2025 -
Wayne Shorter The Soothsayer (Blue Note Classic Edition)
Blue Note
August 15, 2025 -
Molly Tuttle So Long Little Miss Sunshine
Nonesuch
August 15, 2025 -
Desire Escape (Violet)
Universal UK
July 25, 2025 -
Anand Wilder Psychic Lessons
Last Gang Records
August 22, 2025 -
Freezing Cold Treasure Pool
Don Giovanni
August 1, 2025 -
Belinda Carlisle Once Upon A Time In California (Sunset)
Demon / Edsel
August 29, 2025 -
Sydney Minsky Sargeant Lunga [2xLP]
Domino Record Co
September 12, 2025 -
JADE THAT'S SHOWBIZ BABY!
Rca Records
September 12, 2025 -
Eli Young Band Strange Hours
UnLevel Records
August 1, 2025 -
Curtis Harding Departures & Arrivals: Adventures of Captain Curt
Anti
September 5, 2025 -
Cardi B AM I THE DRAMA? (Amazon Exclusive)
Atlantic
September 19, 2025