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.

However, you won't find bitter laments on this recording. Samite's joy for life, warm sense of humor, love for storytelling and masterful musicianship takes center stage. When Samite does make a social statement as on the song, Obubaka, he asks political leaders to take their roles seriously and he reminds them that they are responsible for the children of the world who deserve a safe place to play, food in their bellies and songs to sing. Samite's own childhood memories and his discovery of traditional music of Uganda surfaces on Emengo, an upbeat song complimented by Samite's warm tenor vocals, flute and kalimba. This collection of songs features electric and acoustic guitar, bass, keyboards and percussion. The traditional song, Agalilala brings lush vocal harmonies to the pot that recalls Ladysmith Black Mambazo of South Africa. Most of the songs are sung in Samite's mother tongue, Luganda, but he sings in his dream language, "Esadayelo" on Maama Yi Baaba.

Certainly listeners will appreciate the beautiful music that appears on this CD and they will also appreciate Samite's funny stories. For instance, Mwatu comes with a comical tale. In Samite's culture when a man wants to marry a woman he promises her that he will bring meat to the table each day. But, in Ithaca, New York, the women are mostly vegetarian so if a man wants to marry one of these New Yorkers, he had better bring sprout and tofu to the table. Bringing meat clearly won't do the trick. And yes, I chuckled to myself a few times when reading the CD liner notes. I also felt my eyes drawing tears when I read the English translations of songs Samite wrote for his late wife. Yet, I am moved by Samite's humanity and not depressed by his grief.

The humanitarian Samite started the non-profit organization, Musicians for World Harmony to, "enable musicians throughout the world to share their music to promote peace, understanding and harmony among peoples with a special emphasis on the displaced or distressed." A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this CD will be donated to this organization. Please visit http://www.musiciansforworldharmony.org to learn more about this project or to make a donation.