Songs from the Source of the Nile

This compilation of songs culls the highlights of four albums from one of Uganda's rising stars, Rachel Magoola, to make her international debut with Songs from the Source of the Nile. The music is an intriguing mix of styles, all fused together by the pen of Magoola herself. The sound departs notedly from the Afrigo Band's work, and mixes in bits of taarab, more traditional soca, zouk, and soukous motifs, and possibly even a hint of roots reggae. The album opens in what will set the tone for the remainder: a reworked, partially electric rendition of a traditional Ugandan love song. Taarab, from the coast, follows, and electric versions of kalimbas make themselves at home throughout. The star of the show is Magoola, though, her powerful vocals bring visions of some of the great Malian or South African songstresses, while the call-and-response patterns focus on her as the center of the production. A worthy debut on the world market for a little-known star outside of her home country.