Chance Nalubega still churning out ballads

By Joseph BatteLast year Chance Nalubega was going places. She released her album Balinsekerera that turned out to be her best album since she stopped being a traditional dancer and became a mainstream act.She was enjoying every bit of it until she decided to go to Britain the wrong way. Through the back door with a forged passport but was nabbed at the airport.I, for one, thought she would suffer creative castration, be dead musically and disappear from the scene. How wrong I was!With her new album, Chance has clearly indicated that she is still alive and kicking, is not going anywhere and is still a member of the mainstream. Those few of us who thought that she is dead musically can go and hang.Yiga Okwagala is old school Chance Nalubega through and through. Easy listening first time around, music centred on a lead guitar and bass line that has little more importance than just keeping the rhythm. Remember the drunkard’s anthem Twenywere and Guma Owmoyo.Her approach on Yiga Okwagala is decidedly Ugandan-reggae-ish or rumbatic instrumental texture and density so favoured in this land currently. This title track also comes wrapped in one of those catchy reggae grooves.Her vocals, though not the type that will make you shiver, invite close listening because often the lyrics are silly, funny or factual.On Yiga Okwagala she is imploring women to learn how to love their men. Stop quarrelling and learn how to love your man. “Squeeze some passion fruit juice for him after work and so on.”Her trick of intoning the lyrics over the sparse beats means Ani Amulabyeko is difficult to tune out. The beauty of this album is its low level of production in the studio. It is a simple album in which every instrument is crystal clear.However, do not take me to be a naïve teenager who likes everything.Chance Nalubega’s real flaw is the lack of conviction on other tracks like DJ, Mujja wange, Nsanyuse okulaba, Kalubatanya. They are not, truth be told, un-listen able as long as you don’t listen too hard.But truth be told, Chance Nalubega has never fallen short of hooks and punches in her music. And, believe me she will always floor you with her captivating lyrics.ends