Samite's latest album, Embalasasa, returns him to his homeland, to his roots, to the very ground and to the vivid memories of his childhood, connecting the past to the present. "At times I feel I was chosen by the creator to bring this music to people. I don't own it, I just share it. Embalasasa is a reflection of where I am in my life right now. It is warm, happy, and adventurous. If this were a painting, the colors would be bold."
Embalasasa is the beautiful, multi-colored, but poisonous lizard that surfaced all over Samite's Ugandan homeland when he was 12-years-old. "Whenever an embalasasa came into the house, we all climbed on top of a table and called my grandfather to come and kill it. We knew we were safe as long as grandpa was around; he used his walking cane to protect us. On the title song, I call my grandpa to come with his walking cane and kill the modern embalasasa, AIDS, a deadly disease transmitted through the most beautiful, vibrant, and natural act."
The album's songs draw on Ugandan folklore, geography, and struggle to express words of allegory, healing, and hope. In addition to AIDS, his curative songs address war, intolerance, the death of a loved one, and survival.
"Since I was young, I always paid attention to how songs always started with one instrument playing a part that others would build on." On Embalasasa, the kalimba is joined by madinda (xylophone) and flute, an instrument common across Ugandan musical traditions. It cuts through the drums and the singing and it soars on top like a bird making sure there is peace in the area. For me, the flute is an instrument of peace. I play it in areas where people don't understand my language and I immediately make friends." Piano, guitar and percussion round out the foundation over which Samite's vocals dance and play.
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