Katumba's baritone

By Joseph Batte Jimmy Katumba and the Ebonies, the band that lit up our music landscape in the eighties, is no more. The Ebonies went full blast into acting while the lead singer Jimmy Katumba almost disappeared into near obscurity. While his rivals were writing him off as a relic, his fans were wondering whether the Ugandan musician nicknamed the 'Black Jim Reeves' would ever make it back to the music scene, he is back and doing what he does best - Singing. Last Wednesday, he clawed back with a Christmas album titled Zivuge that not only shuts up everybody who was trying to put him down, but firmly puts him back in the spotlight he used to enjoy in the past. The Christmas album hit the streets last Wednesday. It has turned out to be one of the hottest items for the feastive season. Zivuge is Jimmy Katumba's second Christmas album. First, titled Laba Omwana Azaalidwa, it was recorded way back in 1975 with the aid of John Dickson, former Namirembe Church organist. Zivuge features 10 meaty tracks which are nicely delivered in those trademark golden bass tones that made him a darling in the East Afican region. There is no Ebonies to back him up this time around. But Phoebe Nasolo, Betty Mpologoma, Lydia Mukiibi and Matthias Mukibi who make up his Breves band, are musicians who stand on their own feet with their enticing vocals. The tracks are a blend of Christmas hymns like Leero Bamalaika, Abasumba Baali Bakuuma and Laba Omwana. Ekibuga kye Bethlehem, Go Tell it on the Mountain, a Negro spiritual and his original composition Zivuge. Jimmy Katumba's new album, in all respects, is a superb album that any lover of Christmas Carols look foward to this season. It will even bring tranquility in your home. Ends.