Track Listing

1. Embalasasa 4:04
2. Olusoka 4:43
3. Nawe Okiwulira 4:14
4. Kakokolo 5:09
5. Look For The Sunset 3:51
6. We Can Do Better 5:25
7. Nalubale 6:38
8. Not Alone 3:04
9. Olugendo 5:42
10. Setula 6:37

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #105034 in Music
• Released on: 2006-02-28
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import

Album Description
EMBALASASA interweaves many subjects dear to Samite—native African fables and their morals, musings on the journey of life, of the experience of grief, of childhood, and of nature. His virtuosic performances (vocals, kalimba and flute) imbue the album with heartfelt emotion that Billboard Magazine noted when it said that ‘Samite wraps his warm voice around melodies that seem to rise up off the Ugandan plateau, caressed by his kalimbas and other native instruments.’

"Embalasasa" is the name of a colorful lizard, purple, red, blue and yellow, which inhabits Uganda. Beautiful, yet deadly when touched, it is a symbol which Samite uses in this album to typify how AIDS, a deadly disease transmitted through the most beautiful, vibrant and natural act of sex, has come to ravage much of Africa.

Amazon.com
Some African-music purists complain about Samite's polish and Western pop leanings, but the Ugandan-born singer and multi-instrumentalist is simply searching for connections with people of all kinds. Here he shares stories (the liner notes explain his native lyrics) about the ravages of AIDS in Africa and its effect on the children while somehow still managing to sound hopeful. His yearning and breathy mid-range voice isn't particularly dynamic, but it fits his subdued arrangements. The music is mostly a spare blend of acoustic guitar and flute as well as kalimba and other African percussion instruments. The tempo picks up to a gentle gallop on "Setula" and the hypnotic instrumental "Nalubale," which is driven by an interlocked tapestry of percussion and electric guitar. The title track is equally compelling, but with a Western slant that recalls the acoustic fusions of Paul Simon or Vusi Mahlasela. Simmering with emotion and ideas, Samite gently leads listeners along a path noteworthy for its message and beauty. -- Tad Hendrickson

Joseph Shabalala, Ladysmith Black Mambazo
'When you hear the music of Samite, the soul of Africa is revealed to you.'

Customer Reviews

Haunting
Samite's newest effort is filled with poetry, beauty and spirit. Each piece has its own personality; each meets the ear with simple, rhythmic sound that is gentle and yet powerful. I first heard Samite tracks on several Windham Hill collections - all pieces from Stars To Share. Though beautiful, these have an unmistakably Windham Hill quality. Embalasasa, however, captures Samite's natural, indigenous sound. While listening, you can almost envision him sitting in the room, playing his music and telling his stories directly to you. I consider this CD is a treasure, taking me back to African dreams.