the soulster in Angella Katatumba
Jan 20, 2005
She sings with conviction. Her voice carries a poignant sensation that lingers on and on
By Sebidde Kiryowa
She sings with conviction. Her voice carries a poignant sensation that lingers on and on. But what is gripping about Angella Katatumba’s voice is not just the heart-rending context she does on her debut single, Standing in The Rain.
It is the composition of her vocal dexterity. To say Katatumba has a rich voice is an understatement. Though largely tailored to R&B and soul music, her voice is a dynamic medley of a myriad of vocal influences that can be stretched to a wider range than one imagines.
Her voice is compelling, raspy, husky, soulful and punctuated by groans and moans. Among all the musical influences, Katatumba, who has lived in Chicago, USA for the better part of her life, says Whitney Houston takes the biggest chunk.
“I learnt singing and tuning of my voice from from Whitney. I get the low and husky feel from Toni (Braxton), but there is also a lot of Deborah Cox in my sound,†says the 25-year-old singer. “I’ve worked a lot on my voice. I can go so low like Toni yet I can also stretch high like Whitney. I can also do runs like Angie Stone and India. I’ve never been to a music school, but I’ve tried to get the best from everyone.†And the grunting? “There’s definitely a bit of Tina Turner in there.â€
Yet, for all the power in her voice, it is apparent that Katatumba lacks control, reconciling all those influences into a package to create her own identity still eludes her. One still gets the impression she might sound like one artiste at one time and a different one at another time. However, she denies this. “This is my vocal identity. This is how I sound now. Other artistes might have shaped my vocal style, but I’m not trying to sound like anyone. I’m Angella Katatumba,†she says. In addition to her talent, her vibrant and charismatic persona complimented by her sexy guise and a relentless PR machine have ensured that within a short time, her impact is felt on the music scene. Katatumba, a daughter to Kampala businessman, Bonny Katatumba, is handled by former Limit X constituent Isaac Rucibigango’s Fishnet Productions, who are also doing her production.
Her first release, the glum ballad Standing In The Rain produced by Alan Kisitu (with a remix by Ruccibigango), is currently in heavy rotation on a cross-section of FM radio stations.
On the track released last month, Katatumba’s voice (mainly for lovers of R&B) evokes pure emotion – temperate vibrations steeped in soulful delight that stay on with the bond of a lingering kiss. The production and vocal arrangements were, however, lacklustre, but the song has a lot more going for it. Besides Katumba’s amazing vocal input (which most listeners would likely confuse with a burgeoning American R&B starlet) is redeemed by guitarist John Bash’s guitar leaks and Ruccibigango’s remix.
It is not hard to see why late night DJs think it’s a doll). R&B music is not exactly a marketable genre in Uganda, but Katatumba says she chose to come through that way because she felt the need to be true to her musical orientation.
I’m a power ballad singer. I know the market here is different, but that’s who I am. I wanted my first song to be about who I am.†Katatumba is quick to add that when she releases her debut album, it will offer a mixture of all genres from ragga to Afro-Caribbean. The seven-track project, will drop in March 2005.
Last week, Katatumba started making good on her promise when she released her second single, I Live For You.
This mid-tempo offering is a subtle blend of African musical influences and salsa that incorporates African chants and wails (courtesy of singer Kawesa). John Bash’s guitar provides that essential acoustic element that completes the song, making a superior artistic statement than Standing In The Rain.
A friend, who heard her sing in a shower in Gibson, Vancouver, Canada, was the first to notice Katatumba’s voice. “She convinced me to take part in a talent show. I did and won with a standing ovation,†she recalls. Her reward was appearance on television and a deal to record a CD of Whitney Houston covers.
At 17, while at a university in the UK, Katatumba won a talent show and impressed her dean of students, so much that he gave her number out to wedding organisers to hire her to sing. At the height of this stint, Katatumba was making up to 300 pounds at Ponanas, Oxford.
Why then didn’t she pursue a professional music career out there? “There’s too many conmen out there. I have dealt with a lot of managers in Chicago, but they are all criminals. But, I’ve learnt my lesson and it has helped me develop my voice,†she says. But the other reason she could not pursue a professional career was her education. “I spent a lot of time in books. I have two bachelors degrees, one in Law and another in Economics. I also have a masters in Human Resources.â€
Katatumba, now the managing director, Hotel Diplomate, honed her managerial skills running singer Isaac Hayes’ restaurants in Chicago as one of three managers.
They appeared in the Ebony Magazine among the ‘57 Most Intriguing People.’
She sings with conviction. Her voice carries a poignant sensation that lingers on and on. But what is gripping about Angella Katatumba’s voice is not just the heart-rending context she does on her debut single, Standing in The Rain.
It is the composition of her vocal dexterity. To say Katatumba has a rich voice is an understatement. Though largely tailored to R&B and soul music, her voice is a dynamic medley of a myriad of vocal influences that can be stretched to a wider range than one imagines.
Her voice is compelling, raspy, husky, soulful and punctuated by groans and moans. Among all the musical influences, Katatumba, who has lived in Chicago, USA for the better part of her life, says Whitney Houston takes the biggest chunk.
“I learnt singing and tuning of my voice from from Whitney. I get the low and husky feel from Toni (Braxton), but there is also a lot of Deborah Cox in my sound,†says the 25-year-old singer. “I’ve worked a lot on my voice. I can go so low like Toni yet I can also stretch high like Whitney. I can also do runs like Angie Stone and India. I’ve never been to a music school, but I’ve tried to get the best from everyone.†And the grunting? “There’s definitely a bit of Tina Turner in there.â€
Yet, for all the power in her voice, it is apparent that Katatumba lacks control, reconciling all those influences into a package to create her own identity still eludes her. One still gets the impression she might sound like one artiste at one time and a different one at another time. However, she denies this. “This is my vocal identity. This is how I sound now. Other artistes might have shaped my vocal style, but I’m not trying to sound like anyone. I’m Angella Katatumba,†she says. In addition to her talent, her vibrant and charismatic persona complimented by her sexy guise and a relentless PR machine have ensured that within a short time, her impact is felt on the music scene. Katatumba, a daughter to Kampala businessman, Bonny Katatumba, is handled by former Limit X constituent Isaac Rucibigango’s Fishnet Productions, who are also doing her production.
Her first release, the glum ballad Standing In The Rain produced by Alan Kisitu (with a remix by Ruccibigango), is currently in heavy rotation on a cross-section of FM radio stations.
On the track released last month, Katatumba’s voice (mainly for lovers of R&B) evokes pure emotion – temperate vibrations steeped in soulful delight that stay on with the bond of a lingering kiss. The production and vocal arrangements were, however, lacklustre, but the song has a lot more going for it. Besides Katumba’s amazing vocal input (which most listeners would likely confuse with a burgeoning American R&B starlet) is redeemed by guitarist John Bash’s guitar leaks and Ruccibigango’s remix.
It is not hard to see why late night DJs think it’s a doll). R&B music is not exactly a marketable genre in Uganda, but Katatumba says she chose to come through that way because she felt the need to be true to her musical orientation.
I’m a power ballad singer. I know the market here is different, but that’s who I am. I wanted my first song to be about who I am.†Katatumba is quick to add that when she releases her debut album, it will offer a mixture of all genres from ragga to Afro-Caribbean. The seven-track project, will drop in March 2005.
Last week, Katatumba started making good on her promise when she released her second single, I Live For You.
This mid-tempo offering is a subtle blend of African musical influences and salsa that incorporates African chants and wails (courtesy of singer Kawesa). John Bash’s guitar provides that essential acoustic element that completes the song, making a superior artistic statement than Standing In The Rain.
A friend, who heard her sing in a shower in Gibson, Vancouver, Canada, was the first to notice Katatumba’s voice. “She convinced me to take part in a talent show. I did and won with a standing ovation,†she recalls. Her reward was appearance on television and a deal to record a CD of Whitney Houston covers.
At 17, while at a university in the UK, Katatumba won a talent show and impressed her dean of students, so much that he gave her number out to wedding organisers to hire her to sing. At the height of this stint, Katatumba was making up to 300 pounds at Ponanas, Oxford.
Why then didn’t she pursue a professional music career out there? “There’s too many conmen out there. I have dealt with a lot of managers in Chicago, but they are all criminals. But, I’ve learnt my lesson and it has helped me develop my voice,†she says. But the other reason she could not pursue a professional career was her education. “I spent a lot of time in books. I have two bachelors degrees, one in Law and another in Economics. I also have a masters in Human Resources.â€
Katatumba, now the managing director, Hotel Diplomate, honed her managerial skills running singer Isaac Hayes’ restaurants in Chicago as one of three managers.
They appeared in the Ebony Magazine among the ‘57 Most Intriguing People.’