Reggae man to launch Africa 2000 album soon

By Sebidde Kiryowa Reggae Singer Prince Max will finally launch second album Africa 2000 this Sunday. The launch, to be held at Cave 2000 at 8.00pm will be part of a show by the JoeSam’s Band. JoeSam’s band will also be launching an album that night. Prince Max is part of JoeSam’s band although he still plays as a solo artist outside the band. Prince Max completed and released Africa 2000 mid last year but had never launched the album officially. Humphrey Egesa, Prince Max’s manager and the organiser of the concert told Weekend Vision that the delay was tactical and intended to give the audience time to digest Max’s work. “Reggae recorded and performed locally by our own artists does not attract the same kind of enthusiastic response as the other local music types,” Egesa said. “Radio and the record-buying public are reluctant to engage it. We had to take our time and let them see who Max really was and what he can give them. We could use some really good publicity in the meantime. Besides, we are really not competing with anyone. We can take our time here,” Egesa added. He said the show will be divided into two parts: JoeSam’s launch and Prince Max’s performance. JoeSam’s Band plays popular Ugandan rhythms and are quite popular on the club and pub scene. They have toured most of the city pubs but are more regular at Viewpoint in Nateete and Terrace View Hotel in Nakulabye where they perform on weekends. Prince Max, whom audiences had first hailed for his remarkable ability to bring Lucky Dube to life through his mimicking antics was later denounced, with industry pundits accusing him of riding on the reggae great’s back for his own success. Max’s efforts to beat off this popular viewpoint resulted in his Africa 2000 album. ends