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" If a humanitarian award existed for musicians, there would be a long list of choices. To me a humanitarian is someone that has endured political, economic or other strife and instead of growing bitter from the experience, open his or her heart to ignite a project for the betterment of this planet. Ugandan born musician and songwriter Samite Mulondo comes to mind. This exiled musician fled Uganda in 1982 and set up home in Kenya where he performed with the popular African heritage band, Bacchus Club Jazz Band. Eventually he settled in Ithaca, New York where he currently resides. In 1982, Samite lost his homeland, but most recently he lost his wife to brain cancer. While both of those losses can be felt wholeheartedly on Samite's 6th solo recording, Tunula Eno, this CD was recorded during the last stages of his wife Joan's illness so the album is a gorgeous tribute to her... "
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"Samite wraps his warm voice around melodies that seem to rise up off the Ugandan plateau, caressed by his kalimbas and other native instruments."
"When Samite translated his songs, their serenity seemed almost miraculous."
"transcends African musical and territorial frontiers to create a new sound...it will touch your heart"
....finely interweaves classical guitar, voice and the haunting plucked metal tones of the kalimba...a magnificent piece of music with an ancient quality to it.
"The multiple rhythms are forceful but not domineering, and Samite's melodies ride over and through them to create a soothing, almost lullaby-like effect. It's modern African folk music..."
"a master of flute amd a terrific vocalist...authentically Ugandan and its exemplary in its entirety."
"When you hear the music of Samite, the soul of Africa is revealed to you."
- Joseph Shabalala, Ladysmith Black Mambazo
"Samite is a superb musician . . . he has stories to tell we all need to hear."
- Pete Seeger
"When Samite translated his songs, their serenity seemed almost miraculous."
- Jon Pareles, The New York Times
"Working with Samite and his music was a great and rare pleasure . . . Anyone who can make a German like me dance the way Samite had me dancing deserves some sort of an award."
- Will Ackerman, Imaginary Road Studios, Vermont
"Gas prices, election-year politics, lousy weather--whatever has you feeling down, Ugandan expatriate Samite has the cure. . . .He speaks more about passion and love with a few scat syllables than most singers can convey with a whole song."
- Dave Becker, Oakland Tribune
"The multiple rhythms are forceful but not domineering, and Samite's melodies ride over and through them to create a soothing, almost lullaby-like effect. It's modern African folk music . . ."
- Don Snowden, Los Angeles Times
"Although one of Samite's kalimbas was no larger than two cigarette packs, when amplified it revealed an enfolding timbre and interweaving complexity that Philip Glass would be hard pressed to replicate. His eight-number performance earned two standing ovations."
- Jim Washburn, Los Angeles Times
"Singing in Luganda, Samite uses his sweet tenor to recall the lush countryside he left behind when he fled Uganda's civil strife." "It's almost a shame to confine Ugandan singer Samite to a stage. His music should be danced to!"
- The Philadelphia Inquirer
"The particularly gifted Samite of Uganda is a master of flute and a terrific vocalist . . . his music is authentically Ugandan and its exemplary in its entirety."
- Dave Hucker, Reggae and African Beat Magazine
"The evening's great surprise was Samite . . . his great magic was turning the entire hall into his instrument. Eyes flashing, he wooed the audience into the resonance of his circle."
- Peggy Haine, The Ithaca Journal
"Samite of Uganda is not only a multi-talented musician, but he possesses something more--taste."
- Gene Endres, Ithaca Times
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