Abato-Maddox a prophet?
author: Edmund Lubega
I like listening to Maddox not because I am a reggae fan because I think Maddox is a very good singer songwriter/lyricist.Period.Full stop.
He is the most under-appreciated pop-singer in/from,Uganda though I would not be surprised if he enjoys a greater following abroad than he does at home. I dare say he is the best male Ugandan musician/singer in the pop/reggae music genre presently and perhaps among the top ten reggae artistes in the world.But I guess I am biased.
Abato is the first Maddox album I have heard that has a single English word in it. His previous album Tukolagane was pure magic from a musical point of view and amazing depth of the lyrics-all in luganda. When I listen to traditional/folk music in Luganda I get a lot of pleasure from the message and words in the songs but I am not surprised to hear such such clean and sophisticated language-I expect to hear such there. But with Maddox I get pleasantly surprised not only at his beautiful, relaxed and confident singing style but also at the way he strings his words together as I don't expect to hear such skillful writing from a reggae/pop artiste of his generation singing in Luganda. He is certainly in the same league of the likes of the now deceased Philly Lutaaya, Billy Mutebi, Fred Kigozi,Freddie Sebulime, Elly Wamala and others.
'Abato' is a worthy follow up album with clever lyrics and tight Maddox trademark vocals.The main difference is that some of the tracks are in English-but nevertheless also have quite catchy tunes and words.
My main criticism of the Maddox songs is that he does get a little carried away and makes them a little too long. Some go as long as 6 or 7 minutes while 3 and 1/2 to 4 and 1/2 minutes would have done just fine. I have never had the chance to watch him and gathering from his one video I have seen and reports I have received from friends, he is not as exciting a performer as he is a singer.
I recently translated some of the Luganda lyrics of his songs for a reggae fan, friend of mine from Botswana, who wanted to know what the theme was. His only words were afterwards were 'This man is truly a Jah Prophet!
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abato
author: nkamasaph
it cotains 12 very nice songs from kampaal to wont give up
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Mr.
author: Abbey Rafsanjan
Some artistes impose themselves through releasing numerous songs to stay in the limelight, however, Maddox remains on the scene with his few but polished songs.
After Namagembe released in 2000, Maddox's latest reggae album Abato (2006) which comprises Nakatudde, Nga Olabye, Wa Nsonyi, Leka Nkulage, Kabiite, Come Let's Rock, All Time Lover, Easy, Fed Up, Won't Give Up, Kampala and the title track Abato is one to reckon with. Abato is a blend of rock reggae with Bakisimba drumbeats. In Abato Maddox pleads to the grown-ups to respect and love the young ones.
The people's favourite Nakatudde has been rocking for over a year and last year it earned Maddox a Pam Award nod for Reggae Artiste of the Year.
But my first choice is the lovers-rock Wa Nsonyi, which soothes your ears with some real melodic and mellow singing accompanied with the tune of guitars as Maddox praises his well mannered, yet introvert girlfriend.
Kabiite and Leka Nkulage are also love songs whereas Kampala is a tribute to the city.Nga Olabye consoles the heartbroken ones whom Maddox advises to apologise, and remain hopeful even when things fail to work out.
The other five songs, Fed Up, Come Let's Rock, All Time Lover, Easy and Won't Give Up are in English as the titles point out. Fed Up lambastes people who pick on others whilst All Time Lover talks about a lover of all. This is a timeless album that will entertain you and lift your mood.
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A Serious Album
author: Abbey Rafsanjan, Daily Monitor, Uganda
Some artistes impose themselves through releasing numerous songs to stay in the limelight, however, Maddox remains on the scene with his few but polished songs.
After Namagembe released in 2000, Maddox's latest reggae album Abato (2006) which comprises Nakatudde, Nga Olabye, Wa Nsonyi, Leka Nkulage, Kabiite, Come Let's Rock, All Time Lover, Easy, Fed Up, Won't Give Up, Kampala and the title track Abato is one to reckon with. Abato is a blend of rock reggae with Bakisimba drumbeats. In Abato Maddox pleads to the grown-ups to respect and love the young ones.
The people's favourite Nakatudde has been rocking for over a year and last year it earned Maddox a Pam Award nod for Reggae Artiste of the Year.
But my first choice is the lovers-rock Wa Nsonyi, which soothes your ears with some real melodic and mellow singing accompanied with the tune of guitars as Maddox praises his well mannered, yet introvert girlfriend.
Kabiite and Leka Nkulage are also love songs whereas Kampala is a tribute to the city.Nga Olabye consoles the heartbroken ones whom Maddox advises to apologise, and remain hopeful even when things fail to work out.
The other five songs, Fed Up, Come Let's Rock, All Time Lover, Easy and Won't Give Up are in English as the titles point out. Fed Up lambastes people who pick on others whilst All Time Lover talks about a lover of all. This is a timeless album that will entertain you and lift your mood.
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