Rachel Magoola - Songs from the Source of the Nile

(ARC Music/  EUCD 1973)

Having performed with Uganda's top act The Afrigo Band for twelve years, Rachel Magoola started her own successful solo career with four solo albums. Since that time, Rachel has been searching beyond her African heritage for musical influences bringing sounds from London, New York, Paris and Havana into her groove. The result is a scrumptious catalogue of top Ugandan dance tunes.

Rachel is now setting her sites on the wider world. She recently visited the UK with The South African Gospel Singers, showcasing her hybrid fusion of African rhythms and pop sensibilities. She can also slip seamlessly into R& B and funky modern beats to create sharp new, world music dance floor fillers.

Affectionately known as Uganda's number one diva (though not in the Mariah Carey way), Rachel puts her popularity to good use. Not content with shaking up the dance floor, Rachel's also shaking up the Ugandan establishment with her internationally acclaimed protest song 'Stop (Smoking)'.

'Songs from the Source of the Nile' is Rachel's international debut release - a selection of tracks, original material from pop to tribal traditions, with elements of taarab and Soga rhythms merged with Congolese guitar, reggae and zouk, in full Ugandan vibe.

Reviewer : Yve Ngoo

Jangu Eno (clip)