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Laban Kinuthia Salim who goes by the
stage name Salim Young, is a scion of the famous guitar playing Salim
family from Subukia, Nakuru. The family is largely credited with
introducing to Kenya, the concept of playing One Man Guitar or
Mugithi in entertainment spots accompanied by a drummer. The Salim
family has produced the likes of Salim Junior, Mighty Salim, Sarafina
Salim and now Salim Young.
Early Musical Starts
This family of eight with Salim Young
born in 1990, the youngest of brothers was introduced to music by
their Dad, Salim Senior, today a Private School Entrepreneur and
Instrument’s tutor in Subukia. Like his singing siblings Salim
Young was inspired by Dad who sang gospel. Contrary to popular
belief, neither of his family members were Muslims due to the name
Salim. Their Dad chose to be addressed by it as he wanted a name
without many people. “We all now use it as our surname, it stuck,”
chuckles Salim.
Early Musical Influences and Guitar
Practice
Besides the Dad, Salim Young was was
inspired by music of the late great Sammy Muraya of Subukia Success
band. “That man’s songs inspired me a lot I remember seeing him
when I was younger,” recalled Salim Young. Then Salim Junior
worked at Sammy Muraya’s studio in River Road. Salim Young recalls
picking the guitar and learning to play a tune when in nursery
school. To learn he tapped what his Dad and elder brothers taught
him, but admits to perfect his skills has taken dedication and
discipline.
Studying in high school Salim Young
awoke at 5am and before going to school practiced for 30 minutes.
Their home due to their Dad’s musical inclinations had instruments
like an accordion, keyboards and a recording studio. “I accessed
the guitar at a very early age,” Salim Young recalls. That
exposure, research and practice aided him to learn various guitar
chords and styles growing up in Subukia.
Producer and Session Guitar Player
Today Salim Young plays Mugithi and on
tracks of other musicians like his sister and band mate Sarafina
Salim. He also plays keyboards, bass and lead guitar and has done
production at Kuruga wa Wanjiku’s studio. Though still budding in
music, Salim Young admits One Man Guitar shows pay his bills though
they pay less. They have also formed a band with his elder Sister
Sarafina, and perform Mugithi together with him, playing lead and
rhythm guitar.
Debut Gospel Album and Performances
Now on cusp of releasing his first self
produced gospel album, ‘Tondu wi Hinya’ Salim Young is studying
Business Management and Entrepreneurship online so he can juggle the
recording. Though coming from a rich background of One Man Guitar
and Mugithi players, Salim Young admits being drawn to gospel music
due to his mother’s godly influence, from a young age. Still on
weekends, he performs at Trotters Club in Kenol , Muranga but has
performed in Mombasa, Karatina, Banana and Manyatta.
Though not yet complete, ‘Ngatho’
one of the songs in the album done in Chakacha style is receiving
airplay at Inooro FM. But Salim Young expects Tondu wi Hinya and
Nindoka Mbere Yaku tracks to impact more once released. Having been
a committed member of Subukia Town Baptist, Salim Young admits has
impacted his creativity. “I think I do gospel music better than
secular,” he said.
Composition Style
Salim Young composed the songs by
observing people’s lives and trials they go through. The title
track Tondu wi Hinya came by watching how people complain to GOD they
got no shoes, yet there are those without legs to wear the shoes.
‘Nindoka Mbere Yaku’ was a personal repentant prayer song to GOD
for straying away by doing things that may have annoyed HIM. The
tune for songs he says he got them from GOD’s revelation and always
prays for that. “I can be asleep at 3am and a tune comes to my
brain, and I wake up and record it on my phone,” says Salim Young.
Salim Young’s Production
Philosophy
For the self produced album he played
all guitars in it. But consulted his Dad and seasoned producers in
Leemax and Studio Sawa to gain extra production skills to apply in
his album. Salim Young believes in producing albums with instruments
being played than programmed and loves performing live. “Live music
is richer with more creativity without monotony of programmed bass
lines,” he said. To him, music needs to incorporate the unique
richness and playing style of a keyboardist, guitarist, bassist and
vocalists. Though optimistic on his debut album, piracy possibility
nags him, but wishes the government was more proactive in fighting
it.
Future Optimisms
That however has not stopped Salim
Young, from being optimistic about the future and hopes to create
music that’s heard beyond Kenyan borders if well produced with top
notch technology. “Quality music rich in messages and well played
instruments even if people don’t understand the language they will
buy it,” he said. Challenges to getting to that level according to
Salim Young, remains production expenses, elite recording equipments
and instruments. So far his debut album has cost him Sh50,000 to
produce. “Yet I can’t release it until I feel its quality my
fans will appreciate,” said Salim Young.
To The Fans
To the fans Salim Young says he is just
beginning and should be patient and anticipate the music he is set to
release. “Once released they will understand who Salim Young
musically,” he said. He is grateful to fans and feels this album
will be a way of giving back to them, for supporting him and promises
to not let them down. “If they give me a chance,” Salim Young
told Kikuyu Musicians.
To Book Salim Young reach him on labansalim@yahoo.com
Copyrights to Kikuyu Musicians November
9, 2013
8:39 AM | 8
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