Search - Samputu :: Testimony from Rwanda

Samputu
Testimony from Rwanda
Genres: Dance & Electronic, International Music, Pop

Track Listings (13) - Disc #1
1. Karame Mwana (Cherish the Children) - Samputu, Hawkes, Glenn
2. Singizwa (Praise Be to God)
3. Rehema (Falling in Love With a Muslim Girl)
4. Ten Years Remembering - Samputu, Hawkes, Glenn
5. Rwanda Rwiza (Beautiful Rwanda)
6. Twararutashye (Coming Home)
7. Aliokoka (He Is Saved)
8. Mana Wari Uri He? (God, Where Were You?)
9. Migabo (Courageous Warrior)
10. Mgarambe
11. Tamara - Samputu, Michaud, Bernard
12. Tuzagera
13. Ten Years Remembering [A Capella Version] - Samputu, Hawkes, Glenn

CD Details

All Artists: Samputu
Title: Testimony from Rwanda
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Multicultural Media
Original Release Date: 1/1/2007
Re-Release Date: 9/14/2004
Genres: Dance & Electronic, International Music, Pop
Style: World Dance
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 600929400327

Synopsis

Album Description

Testimony from Rwanda is his first acoustic recording and his first American recording. It blends styles and traditions that are embedded in his very musical being; among others, 5/8 dance rhythms, ballads, soukous, gospel, African rhumba, and pygmy. Rehema is a lively Rwanda traditional-style dance tune which tells the story of a young Christian man who falls in love with a Muslim girl. Ngarambe is another traditional Rwandan rhythm (in 5/8). Singizwa is a gospel song based on traditional pygmy (intwatwa) style which praises God. Rwanda Rwiza is dedicated to "Beautiful Rwanda." Tuzagera is national gospel-tinged song performed in a straight-ahead soukous dance style. Twararutashaye is Samputu?s plea to fellow Rwandans to return to Rwanda after the genocide. He is accompanied on this recording by Aron Niyitunga, his longtime friend and a tremendously versatile musician who plays guitars, keyboard and bass, and Jordan Mensah from Ghana who plays hand drums and hand percussion.

CD Reviews

Inspiring and soulful!

M. Fargnoli | NY USA | 06/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw this band in person during a genocide awareness week and was very impressed by their happiness and strength to survive even though many of their family and friends were lost in the Rwandan genocide. I loved the music so much that I purchased the album from them. The album is nothing less than amazing and inspiring! Don't be fooled that the song titles are in English- most of the songs are not sung in english which is nice because it just adds depth to the music. The songs I most love are Rehema (Fall in Love), Twararutashye (Comming Home), and Aliokoka (He is Saved), although all are beautiful. These three songs in particular are very joyful and your whole attitude will be lifted listening to them. You may even start dancing in an african dance style without noticing it or knowing how it happened. :-) I often listen to these three songs when I go walking and need a surge of happiness and people always say I glow when I'm listening to it. The album has the capabilities of bringing both joy and tears and has the effect of clearing away negative energy. It is bound to make you think and reminds you that nomatter how difficult life can be, we have the choice to deal with sorrow in many ways. This group has risen from the sorrow with a message of love and hope and it is a powerful message indeed."