Priest experiments with ragga beats
Apr 07, 2005
In September 2001, Father Anthony Musaala, a charismatic assistant parish priest and youth chaplain of St Matiya Mulumba Parish in Old Kampala
By Joseph Batte
In September 2001, Father Anthony Musaala, a charismatic assistant parish priest and youth chaplain of St Matiya Mulumba Parish in Old Kampala, released a ground-breaking album titled, Katonda Taata. Today, the father is back with his new album titled Jesus is coming. The song is picking up from where Katonda Taata left.
Not only does the father prove that he is a fantastic songwriter, he also convinces us that unlike his contemporaries like Father Magandaazi and Father Magembe, he has the ability to fuse slamming beats with meaningful Christian lyrics. Jesus is coming is a dance floor praise song. The song is powered by a hot soukous beat.
Another hot one is Prepare the way for the Lord. It is basically a hand-clapping and foot-stomping groove, which was given a contemporary ragga twist by producers Travis Kazibwe and Innocent Kayizzi. I want to see the Lord start slowly with tinkerings of the piano before it slides into a techno beat.
Musaala slows a little bit with Yesu Mukama Wange (Jesus my lord). He returns to rework on Tusimbe fenna Mukisinde, an old praise song, to maximum effect. Another track that grabs the listener is Veni Sancte Spiritus (come holy spirit). His partnership with sweet-voiced Dan Katende makes you feel the presence of the Lord. It highlights Musaala’s multiple musical gifts. This is a Catholic hymn, but he gave it pop musical flavours. This album brings even the most staid Gospel enthusiast to their feet, thanks to the angelic voices by Dan Katende, Sebastian Sentamu and Jason Kiwanuka.
what took him so long? I wanted to find what music would work for me. Katonda Taata experiments beats from South Africa and slow rock. “I credit producer Robert Segawa for this new project. He helped me see what can be done as a gospel artiste. “That is why I went for a sound attractive to even the man on the street. I wanted Jesus is coming to be an enjoyable listening experience, but also with something to say and to remember.â€
“I wanted to do away with the notion that in the Catholic Church, they sing only meditation and dedicational songs with themes about the Virgin Mary. I see my music as ecumenical and non-denominational.
In September 2001, Father Anthony Musaala, a charismatic assistant parish priest and youth chaplain of St Matiya Mulumba Parish in Old Kampala, released a ground-breaking album titled, Katonda Taata. Today, the father is back with his new album titled Jesus is coming. The song is picking up from where Katonda Taata left.
Not only does the father prove that he is a fantastic songwriter, he also convinces us that unlike his contemporaries like Father Magandaazi and Father Magembe, he has the ability to fuse slamming beats with meaningful Christian lyrics. Jesus is coming is a dance floor praise song. The song is powered by a hot soukous beat.
Another hot one is Prepare the way for the Lord. It is basically a hand-clapping and foot-stomping groove, which was given a contemporary ragga twist by producers Travis Kazibwe and Innocent Kayizzi. I want to see the Lord start slowly with tinkerings of the piano before it slides into a techno beat.
Musaala slows a little bit with Yesu Mukama Wange (Jesus my lord). He returns to rework on Tusimbe fenna Mukisinde, an old praise song, to maximum effect. Another track that grabs the listener is Veni Sancte Spiritus (come holy spirit). His partnership with sweet-voiced Dan Katende makes you feel the presence of the Lord. It highlights Musaala’s multiple musical gifts. This is a Catholic hymn, but he gave it pop musical flavours. This album brings even the most staid Gospel enthusiast to their feet, thanks to the angelic voices by Dan Katende, Sebastian Sentamu and Jason Kiwanuka.
what took him so long? I wanted to find what music would work for me. Katonda Taata experiments beats from South Africa and slow rock. “I credit producer Robert Segawa for this new project. He helped me see what can be done as a gospel artiste. “That is why I went for a sound attractive to even the man on the street. I wanted Jesus is coming to be an enjoyable listening experience, but also with something to say and to remember.â€
“I wanted to do away with the notion that in the Catholic Church, they sing only meditation and dedicational songs with themes about the Virgin Mary. I see my music as ecumenical and non-denominational.