by Peace African Youth Ensemble

            Debut album (their first EVER recording) from this young 15-piece African group -         recorded in a 12 foot by 12 foot room with no acoustical treatment whatsoever........apart from warm bodies !

     Just imagine:

                    2 African Djembe drums

                    Amadinda (wooden xylophone)

                    Flute

                    Trumpet

                    2 Acoustic Guitars

                    Trumpet

                    2 Keyboards

                    4 Singers...............fifteen musicians* in all

                    and me in a room that was 12 feet by 12 feet !!!

                     (4 metres by 4 metres)

  Recorded near Kampala, Uganda in December 2004

  Produced by Gordon Nicol

•   1. Omusango Gwabarere - This one is great for showcasing each instrument as it starts with

               the frenetic sound of the Amadinda (wooden xylophone) which is joined by the Enanga/Adungu

               (Arched African harp), and then the Endingidi (Tube Fiddle) then the flute, the drums, culminating with vocals.

•   2.  Ntwala Mata - Another very traditional song with a simple open of  xylophone and tube fiddle into a very endearing chorus.

•   3.  Nakuzire - Strong male vocals and drums open this story of “my children” with a lovely solo voice  from a female singer

               “Grandfather, will you tell us please how you grew old?”

•   4.  Ndahorero -  Another “Hummm” open but into a quite different tune and a beautiful female voice combined with African chant.

•   5.  Tunataka Kuwomba - A lilting very simple and catchy song that does a “quick change” at 5m06 into a

               completely different foot-tapping “Jambo Bwana”.

• 11. Mama Africa - Powerful opening vocals into what could easily become Africa’s

                anthem. “You are the motherland of each and everybody. We love Africa for keeping us. We love Africa for feeding us.”

            This whole album was recorded with one stereo mic direct to Mini Disc with no fancy preamp, no outboard eq, and absolutely no multi-tracking or comping. In post production, I added some eq and light reverb for mastering and I edited maybe two alternate endings and that was it. This is the group's first ever professional recording.

            All the songs are composed by the ensemble and have a very traditional feel but some have western influences too. Most have a very spiritual feeling and one can tell of the artistes’ close association with their creator. The male voices are quite powerful and the female voices add a very rich bouquet to this abundant offering.     -  Gordon Nicol

                “Slipping their CD into my player took me to another world.  I can feel their rhythms pulse through me “  Eye Lipson, Media Hotshot

                “The mp3 you sent (Mama Africa)  was a very special treat to start my new year off. Very delightful, well recorded and I wish them all the best with their ongoing music : ) “ Rob Cairns, APM Music, Hollywood

Every single year, between 70,000 and 100,000 Ugandans die from Malaria. This is so tragic when these deaths could be easily prevented by using mosquito nets which are available, Unfortunately, most people just can't afford them. By donating $15 you will be helping to save a life. The money will be used to supply much needed mosquito nets for St. Mbuga Vocational School which Sandra attends.

A baby lying underneath a mosquito net distributed by Oxfam. Credit: Howard Davies / Oxfam