Essence Kasozi: Computer has killed live instruments

She says computers have killed the ambition of learning to play live instruments and cautions young artistes against relying on CDs.

Although Essence Kasozi recognises that live music is still dominated by men in the country, she is sure the trending is changing, with women taking on an active role. “I think women are mostly interested in singing/dancing but also there’s no tradition of teaching music. So, most women don’t get the chance to get involved in the other aspects. They have been mostly dancers apart from a few. Recently this has begun to change though - and it’s encouraging,” Kasozi says.

Even though she has been accepted in the United Kingdom where she is based, she is disappointed that her music is virtually unknown back home. “I have been accepted because there’s already a tradition of World Music in London and people appreciate it. London is somewhat of a centre for this music. Audiences here are more open-minded and there tends to be an enthusiasm for something different,” she says.

“I feel disappointed my music is not appreciated in Uganda but also I still have hope that people will begin to open their ears to other styles of music; this is always a slow process. The media has also a role to play to do something about this to make people aware just as this interview is seeking to reveal artistes like us to the general public,” Essence told Saturday Monitor. She commends the recording industry in Uganda for sustaining the music sector but says there is room for improvement.

“The producers have to start getting musicians to play live instruments and also to get musicians who are experts on their instruments because when you get different musicians each one brings their own feeling to the music and this creates a much more solid work with more originality rather than everything from one studio sounding the same.”

Regarding the impact of the latest technologies such as computers on the development of playing musical instruments in Uganda, she notes: “It has killed the ambition of learning to play live instruments, which is a shame but they will snap out of it with time hopefully because technology change and with that fashions fade.”

Let money come second
She is also not pleased with the CD generation of musicians, observing thus: “I guess singers becoming celebrities for just one or two songs and going on tours for that. They even go abroad to perform that one song using CDs - amazing. However, the CD track and miming performers’ days are numbered because as is notable, there are many live bands cropping up because audiences are tired of being hoodwinked.”

Kasozi does not think money should come ahead of the art called music. She says youngsters should keep that in mind if they want to achieve more than the one-hit-wonder fame.
“Love the art first before thinking of money, learn the trade and get training in music theory and practice. Play one or a few instruments then you will be better set for a music career,” she says.

Kasozi, who sings mainly in Luganda fuses Afro-beat with Reggae and Afro-pop. With her soulful vocals she tackles issues related to love, advice to fellow women and social evils. She first got into the entertainment business as an actress on the Ugandan scene. She performed with the Kayaayu Film Players, which was one of the leading theatre groups in Uganda in the 80s. She has appeared in several Ugandan TV soaps by the Ebonies group including That’s Life Mwattu in which she played the character of ‘Anita.’

She later ventured into music with the release of her debut album Obukoddo (Selfishness) in 1998. The Obukoddo album is still awaiting re-issuance by the Madhead Kitchen Records.
In 2001, she followed it up with the album Ekiseera mu Biseera (Time within time) under the Hans Records label. The album has ten tracks that include the title track Ekiseera mu biseera, Kuuma line, Nakamatte and Mwanyinaze. It was a top seller in the East African section of CD baby for over six months and number 3 in the Afro-pop top 10.

Ansudde Ddalu (He has made me go crazy) released in September 2007, under the Madhead Kitchen Records label is mainly blended in Afro-pop crossing from the Kalimba/Akogo rhythms and melodies to funky dance grooves and slices of Latin. The 10-track album that was inspired by love has songs including the title track Ansudde ddalu, Nkwagala nyo, Wotoli, Nsaliddewo ddala and Gwe weka. The album was number eight in top selling Afro-pop albums at CD Baby.

Asked as to which of her two released albums is her best, she says, “My second one Ansudde Ddalu although I must say a lot of people appreciate Ekiseera mu biseera I guess it’s a little raw and that quality can also have its own appeal.”

Kasozi’s fans should expect her next album next year because at present she is working on a musical film project. She says the best moments of her musical career were when she played live at the BBC World Service in 2004 and the first time she performed at the National Theatre in London. “It was a thrill and an honour. The audience was very vibrant and they received my performance very well; I loved it.”

In September 2003, Kasozi was one of the Ugandan artistes who were recognised for their contribution to the Ugandan community in the UK at the inaugural Ugandan Music Awards. The South Bank Arts Centre in England has described her as an Afro-pop princess from Uganda.

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