Lumasaba music rocks the airwaves
Amid the Luganda dominated songs that clog the market, one titbit is worth pondering. in most people’s mind, apparently only artists from Buganda region can sing. Well, the Menton Kronos and the Kyansutis (Eastern Uganda) Prossy Kakunda and Akiiki Romeo from the west have since torn that assumptio
By Joseph Batte
Amid the Luganda dominated songs that clog the market, one titbit is worth pondering. in most people’s mind, apparently only artists from Buganda region can sing. Well, the Menton Kronos and the Kyansutis (Eastern Uganda) Prossy Kakunda and Akiiki Romeo from the west have since torn that assumption to tatters.
Do you also need reminding that Pastor George Okudi is currently not only the best in East Africa, but also rules the whole of Africa
Juliet Mugirya, WBS news editor, is another exciting name which has sprung up from the east. Her talent came to light two years ago when she conquered our hearts with her debut album, which spawned her biggest hit, Wele Weffe.
This simple song which was produced by Okudi is effortlessly charming and saw her spend almost a month on the top of the Capital Radio and Radio Simba charts. Its melody was effortlessly charming.
It came loaded with twinkling semi-acoustic guitar, folksy flute, minimal but elegant and spacious arrangements which gave it a subtle complexity. It was terribly likeable.
Mugirya was born to the late Israel Mugirya and Joyce Mugirya in Mbale. She is the ninth child in a family of nine children. She picked interest in music while at Malukhu Primary School in Mbale Municipality, where her mother taught music. She polished her singing at Bukasakya Parish Church choir.
However, her turning point came when Jennifer Nabafu, former UTV news anchor, taught her how to play the guitar.
Mugirya started writing songs in her O’ level with the help of her guitar. After her education, she joined the defunct TV Africa as producer/editor.
In 2001, she had saved money to record Wele Wefe, which won her an Impact FM Gospel Award for Best Female Musician.
The old saying ‘You can’t judge a book by its cover’ seems to apply to her second album He is my defense. Once you have explored the packaging, you get to the best part, the CD.
What immediately hits you is not only the finely crafted songs, but also her vision of promoting Lumasaba (Lugishu) language and music, having realised that the Bamasaba were lagging behind in this growing industry.
The new album is a roller-coaster of a listen, which was again beautifully produced by Okudi. The pastor demonstrates clearly he is a production genius.
He again uses modern instruments, but still retains that authentic folk beat over which Mugirya unwraps almost a whispering, soft shoe-shuffle vocal style.
It comes with nudging arrangements and interesting melodies that will delight Mugirya’s old fans and win her new ones.
On Butwela, Mugirya is puzzled by the bad blood which runs among the Bamasaba and calls on them to surrender their hearts to the Lord.
She also calls on them to help each other instead of turning daggers on themseves. She says unless they do that, they will always lag behind other regions and only be renowned for practicing witchcraft, dancing Kadodi, imbalu and boozing.
This album has changed dramatically. The luwengere and kadodi beat, including friendly dashes of rumba and reggae, though mechanical, are more overt on all the songs.
This means that it was crafted for the dance floor. To the Bamasaba, Mugirya is very unhappy that her people put the mountains like Wanale and the majestic River Manafa on Tororo Road under the protection of traditional spirits.
She wonders what has gotten into their heads to worship small gods with colourful names like Nnanyembe, Maina, Lufutu, Mamwima, Shiwunwa, Nabisaha, Namubimbi instead of the almighty God.
Shikosi sha Yesu is a reggae-ish call on everyone who understands Lumasaba to walk with Jesus, while Maayi wasaala, is a tribute to her lovely Mother Joyce Mugirya.
My verdict: My Defence, Kumwoyoyo and the bonus track all indicate this album is a complete work that hangs together rather than one that is merely a collection of songs. It also highlights the fact that you can make beautiful songs no matter whether you sing in Akarimajong or Sabiny.
All, said this is a beautifully presented album artifact which is again slated to make Juliet Mugirya, the toast of Mbale, if not the entire country. Wanyala nabi nabi Mugirya.
Amid the Luganda dominated songs that clog the market, one titbit is worth pondering. in most people’s mind, apparently only artists from Buganda region can sing. Well, the Menton Kronos and the Kyansutis (Eastern Uganda) Prossy Kakunda and Akiiki Romeo from the west have since torn that assumption to tatters.
Do you also need reminding that Pastor George Okudi is currently not only the best in East Africa, but also rules the whole of Africa
Juliet Mugirya, WBS news editor, is another exciting name which has sprung up from the east. Her talent came to light two years ago when she conquered our hearts with her debut album, which spawned her biggest hit, Wele Weffe.
This simple song which was produced by Okudi is effortlessly charming and saw her spend almost a month on the top of the Capital Radio and Radio Simba charts. Its melody was effortlessly charming.
It came loaded with twinkling semi-acoustic guitar, folksy flute, minimal but elegant and spacious arrangements which gave it a subtle complexity. It was terribly likeable.
Mugirya was born to the late Israel Mugirya and Joyce Mugirya in Mbale. She is the ninth child in a family of nine children. She picked interest in music while at Malukhu Primary School in Mbale Municipality, where her mother taught music. She polished her singing at Bukasakya Parish Church choir.
However, her turning point came when Jennifer Nabafu, former UTV news anchor, taught her how to play the guitar.
Mugirya started writing songs in her O’ level with the help of her guitar. After her education, she joined the defunct TV Africa as producer/editor.
In 2001, she had saved money to record Wele Wefe, which won her an Impact FM Gospel Award for Best Female Musician.
The old saying ‘You can’t judge a book by its cover’ seems to apply to her second album He is my defense. Once you have explored the packaging, you get to the best part, the CD.
What immediately hits you is not only the finely crafted songs, but also her vision of promoting Lumasaba (Lugishu) language and music, having realised that the Bamasaba were lagging behind in this growing industry.
The new album is a roller-coaster of a listen, which was again beautifully produced by Okudi. The pastor demonstrates clearly he is a production genius.
He again uses modern instruments, but still retains that authentic folk beat over which Mugirya unwraps almost a whispering, soft shoe-shuffle vocal style.
It comes with nudging arrangements and interesting melodies that will delight Mugirya’s old fans and win her new ones.
On Butwela, Mugirya is puzzled by the bad blood which runs among the Bamasaba and calls on them to surrender their hearts to the Lord.
She also calls on them to help each other instead of turning daggers on themseves. She says unless they do that, they will always lag behind other regions and only be renowned for practicing witchcraft, dancing Kadodi, imbalu and boozing.
This album has changed dramatically. The luwengere and kadodi beat, including friendly dashes of rumba and reggae, though mechanical, are more overt on all the songs.
This means that it was crafted for the dance floor. To the Bamasaba, Mugirya is very unhappy that her people put the mountains like Wanale and the majestic River Manafa on Tororo Road under the protection of traditional spirits.
She wonders what has gotten into their heads to worship small gods with colourful names like Nnanyembe, Maina, Lufutu, Mamwima, Shiwunwa, Nabisaha, Namubimbi instead of the almighty God.
Shikosi sha Yesu is a reggae-ish call on everyone who understands Lumasaba to walk with Jesus, while Maayi wasaala, is a tribute to her lovely Mother Joyce Mugirya.
My verdict: My Defence, Kumwoyoyo and the bonus track all indicate this album is a complete work that hangs together rather than one that is merely a collection of songs. It also highlights the fact that you can make beautiful songs no matter whether you sing in Akarimajong or Sabiny.
All, said this is a beautifully presented album artifact which is again slated to make Juliet Mugirya, the toast of Mbale, if not the entire country. Wanyala nabi nabi Mugirya.