When he landed in Kenya two years ago, he never anticipated that life would be so rough in a country that had been praised the world over for its hospitality. It turned out to be that and more.
Natamani, Wycleff Wamala’s new album, is a passionate rendition that caresses the ears and the soul. It is music straight from the heart. The Kenyan-based Ugandan musician has come a long way musically.
Wamala found himself trekking between his temporary Ngong Road home and the city centre and often turning a seat at the Kenya National Theatre into a bed.
Many were the days he went without a meal. He has no regrets, though. The experience inspired a single release, Sikiriza, Luganda for I can’t believe it, a song, that was to receive good airplay locally and in his home country.He did not rest on his laurels. "I went on to release Pair Pair, which hit the airwaves as well," says Ambasada.ith its moving African beats, the song went on to earn the musician the glory he now basks in."
As the music played at the Kenya National Theatre restaurant, an enthusiast (journalist) of African music walked in and after listening to it sought to know the name of the artist," recalls Wamala, whose stage name is Ambasada. "When we met he asked me if we could go on and work on this music."
The journalist soon accepted to be executive producer and after a year-long session in the studios Ambasada had an album on the music shelves under a Electronic Publishers’ new label, SoundAfrica. The CD comprising 10 secular and gospel hits is a rich rendition of African beats fused with modern guitars and saxophones that transcends language barriers — which validates the 20-year-old’s stage name of musical ambassador.
Watoto (Inkane), which features children from Nyumbani Children’s Home and Grace Gikii in the video, has struck a chord with both the old and the young alike for its concern for the fate children. The song compels one to think about all the children who are suffering and challenges all and sundry to take care of them.
"How do you feel when you see children suffering?" the song poses. Along with the video, the song leaves you thinking. Natamani is about the singer’s yearning to be close to God, and is a metaphorical way of fantasising about that day that all his dreams will have been lived or the youths, there is Ebyensi, which will compel you to the dance floor even when that means your sitting room.
Written in Luganda, the song takes you though the pleasures of the world and urges the youth to be wary of their after effects. ike the evergreen hymn It is well with my soul, the song Yahweh is about a woman who has been dropped by a boyfriend but still has something to be thankful about the songs in this album include Kokolikolo, a rousing folksy song, Ahsante Humtukuze, and Uganda, which is dedicated to Ambasada’s native country.
Besides Ambasada, other musicians featured in the album include Roughtone, Grace and Uganda’s Toolman. Robert Kamanze is the main producer of the high quality album mastered at Nairobi’s Next Level Studios.
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