Chaino, pronounced "CHA-EE-NO" was promoted by producer Kirby Allan as the last survivor of an African tribe brought to Philadelphia by missionaries. He practiced drumming 17 hours a day and played in fits akin to a religious experience or an orgy.

In actuality, he was Leon Johnson, born in Chicago in 1927. After taking up bongo playing and touring black night clubs, he ended up in Hollywood and went into the Gold Star studio with Allan to create an Americanized version of traditional Kenyan music.

Most recordings feature Johnson playing congas, bongos and other percussion while adding grunts, howls and some singing in Spanish. Accompanied by various instruments, whip cracks and "jungle noises," his most popular songs feature breathy female singers panting and moaning.

His six albums were recorded in the late 50s to little success or acclaim. In 1998 interest resurfaced in his work as with other "exotica" recordings as Bacchus collected tracks from his albums and rare masters Kirby Allen had archived.

Unfortunately he developed a brain tumor and never enjoyed the near 40 year-late appreciation of his work.

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