Girl power on the bass guitar
And the beat goes on and on. This time the grooves and the excitement are provided by a new spitfire on the block called Roselyn ‘Storm’ Otim.
And the beat goes on and on. This time the grooves and the excitement are provided by a new spitfire on the block called Roselyn ‘Storm’ Otim.
Does the name register? I guess not. In fact I can hear you asking, Roselyn-Storm-the-hell who?
Well, hold onto your hats and fasten your seat belts’ because we are about to find out in a big way — on stage that is.
Miss Otim is one of the few illustrious singers admired by the Ugandan community in London. In 2000 she won the Best Entertainer of the Year award. For that effort she was nicknamed ‘Jewel Of the Nile’ by her admirers.
I bet homeboys Tempra Omona and Rasta Cobra are already sweating in their pants. There is no need to. It has been arranged that one of the two, Tempra, will belt his numbers as opening act and use the powerful Umoja PA system.
Otim is slated to hold two charity concerts for children displaced by the war in the north at Lugogo Indoor stadium on December 20. On New Year’s Eve, she will perform in Gulu.
To fill you more on Otim, she is a qualified automobile engineer. Currently, she is a third-year student pursuing a BA in Music and Media studies at Thames Valley University.
Otim is a hot ticket in more ways than one. While the brotherhood of Uganda is choking us with an all-too familiar brand of pop (I don’t suggest that you ditch them), she is flying with an artistic statement of intent in form of her nine-track album titled Kol Kwach Pa Kaka.
I knew there was something special about this sister the first time I set my eyes on her. Tall and beautiful, she not only pays attention on what she wears and how she looks, Otim is the kind of lady who would get nods of approval from your ma and pa saying: ‘Son you got yourself a good wife.’
But there is also more to her, than just those drop-dead good looks. She comes with a unique music style and grace. If you are yearning for something in the funkiest department, she has enough grooves from her four previous albums to get you springing to the dance floor and shaking your butts.
But it is perhaps the voice that some people are likely point out.
She is certainly no Mariah Carey, but if you are the type who has an open mind and have listened to the crooning of Geoffrey Oryema, one of our best musical exports, then you won’t have problems accommodating her.
She is a songbird. If you don’t believe me, try blasting her new album on your radio, hot cup of coffee in the hand or while relaxing in the bathroom.
All the songs have the word ‘hit’ stamped all over them. Praise be to the zouk that powers Nyeka Oleya Ganga, Cwar Mon Alwak, Reggae, Tarabu (Wote Wa Africa) Wananchi. Mar Wange Peke, Nya Pa Otim Odongo, Mungo Uganda Na Millennium Mpya (Afro). (Gospel) Crown of Thorns.
All the songs are performed with charisma, conviction and come with vibrant phrasing on addition to strong lyrical impact that have no trouble connecting with the audience.
Mind you, all the tracks are not functional, synthetic and disposable, like those any contemporary Ugandan listener has become familiar with. Live drums, tasteful bass and cute crisp lead and rhythm guitars complement keyboards.
For that I say we accord Otim all the support she needs because she is one of the few Uganda singers who are changing the course of Acholi music from a local phenomenal to a widely accepted art.
It is also pleasing to see the people at Umoja Promotions Company giving attention to our home-bred musicians and giving them the support they formerly gave some drab foreign acts that more often than not, robbed us in broad daylight. Welcome home Miss Roselyn Otim.
Does the name register? I guess not. In fact I can hear you asking, Roselyn-Storm-the-hell who?
Well, hold onto your hats and fasten your seat belts’ because we are about to find out in a big way — on stage that is.
Miss Otim is one of the few illustrious singers admired by the Ugandan community in London. In 2000 she won the Best Entertainer of the Year award. For that effort she was nicknamed ‘Jewel Of the Nile’ by her admirers.
I bet homeboys Tempra Omona and Rasta Cobra are already sweating in their pants. There is no need to. It has been arranged that one of the two, Tempra, will belt his numbers as opening act and use the powerful Umoja PA system.
Otim is slated to hold two charity concerts for children displaced by the war in the north at Lugogo Indoor stadium on December 20. On New Year’s Eve, she will perform in Gulu.
To fill you more on Otim, she is a qualified automobile engineer. Currently, she is a third-year student pursuing a BA in Music and Media studies at Thames Valley University.
Otim is a hot ticket in more ways than one. While the brotherhood of Uganda is choking us with an all-too familiar brand of pop (I don’t suggest that you ditch them), she is flying with an artistic statement of intent in form of her nine-track album titled Kol Kwach Pa Kaka.
I knew there was something special about this sister the first time I set my eyes on her. Tall and beautiful, she not only pays attention on what she wears and how she looks, Otim is the kind of lady who would get nods of approval from your ma and pa saying: ‘Son you got yourself a good wife.’
But there is also more to her, than just those drop-dead good looks. She comes with a unique music style and grace. If you are yearning for something in the funkiest department, she has enough grooves from her four previous albums to get you springing to the dance floor and shaking your butts.
But it is perhaps the voice that some people are likely point out.
She is certainly no Mariah Carey, but if you are the type who has an open mind and have listened to the crooning of Geoffrey Oryema, one of our best musical exports, then you won’t have problems accommodating her.
She is a songbird. If you don’t believe me, try blasting her new album on your radio, hot cup of coffee in the hand or while relaxing in the bathroom.
All the songs have the word ‘hit’ stamped all over them. Praise be to the zouk that powers Nyeka Oleya Ganga, Cwar Mon Alwak, Reggae, Tarabu (Wote Wa Africa) Wananchi. Mar Wange Peke, Nya Pa Otim Odongo, Mungo Uganda Na Millennium Mpya (Afro). (Gospel) Crown of Thorns.
All the songs are performed with charisma, conviction and come with vibrant phrasing on addition to strong lyrical impact that have no trouble connecting with the audience.
Mind you, all the tracks are not functional, synthetic and disposable, like those any contemporary Ugandan listener has become familiar with. Live drums, tasteful bass and cute crisp lead and rhythm guitars complement keyboards.
For that I say we accord Otim all the support she needs because she is one of the few Uganda singers who are changing the course of Acholi music from a local phenomenal to a widely accepted art.
It is also pleasing to see the people at Umoja Promotions Company giving attention to our home-bred musicians and giving them the support they formerly gave some drab foreign acts that more often than not, robbed us in broad daylight. Welcome home Miss Roselyn Otim.