Kigambo, Toro’s music ambassador
Aug 23, 2007
WHEN Fort Portal-based singer, Moses Kigambo launched his latest six-track album, <i>Ekirale</i> (Lutooro for legacy) recently, many tipped him to be the next big thing from western Uganda.
By Gilbert Mwijuke
WHEN Fort Portal-based singer, Moses Kigambo launched his latest six-track album, Ekirale (Lutooro for legacy) recently, many tipped him to be the next big thing from western Uganda.
And his dazzling performance at the Western Uganda Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) Awards regional launch in Fort Portal town was only a confirmation to the PAM Awards establishment that this artiste was one of the most promising newcomers from this region.
Kigambo’s music, which fuses a traditional and contemporary Ugandan style, is heavy. The strength of his music lies in the deep percussive instruments, in most of his songs.
What is striking about this artiste is that he seems to have a solid vision.
Kigambo also has the knack to turn out striking song concepts like Ekirale, the lead single, which discusses the importance of building a legacy.
His producer, Davis Katooke of Debate Records, gives this song depth with the tube fiddle, adungu (African harp), xylophone and thumb piano, which he blends with the guitar and acoustic drums.
This album also features other hits like Otasomere Olibba Ooha — which borrows heavily from Congolese rhythms — and the gentle, acoustic guitar-driven Abantu ba’Tooro.
The latter is Kigambo’s blunt message to his fellow Batooro who leave their homeland in search of better opportunities elsewhere to return and develop their land.
The album has its shortfalls, evident in the lethargic vocal delivery on Okwetiniira. The song makes one think the singer did not need not have recorded it.
WHEN Fort Portal-based singer, Moses Kigambo launched his latest six-track album, Ekirale (Lutooro for legacy) recently, many tipped him to be the next big thing from western Uganda.
And his dazzling performance at the Western Uganda Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) Awards regional launch in Fort Portal town was only a confirmation to the PAM Awards establishment that this artiste was one of the most promising newcomers from this region.
Kigambo’s music, which fuses a traditional and contemporary Ugandan style, is heavy. The strength of his music lies in the deep percussive instruments, in most of his songs.
What is striking about this artiste is that he seems to have a solid vision.
Kigambo also has the knack to turn out striking song concepts like Ekirale, the lead single, which discusses the importance of building a legacy.
His producer, Davis Katooke of Debate Records, gives this song depth with the tube fiddle, adungu (African harp), xylophone and thumb piano, which he blends with the guitar and acoustic drums.
This album also features other hits like Otasomere Olibba Ooha — which borrows heavily from Congolese rhythms — and the gentle, acoustic guitar-driven Abantu ba’Tooro.
The latter is Kigambo’s blunt message to his fellow Batooro who leave their homeland in search of better opportunities elsewhere to return and develop their land.
The album has its shortfalls, evident in the lethargic vocal delivery on Okwetiniira. The song makes one think the singer did not need not have recorded it.