Samputu Testimony from Rwanda CD

This new CD from Samputu is the musical fulfillment of that "promise" embodied in his 2003 Kora Award for Most Promising Male Artist from Africa. This is his first American-produced CD.

Testimony from Rwanda is his first acoustic recording and his first American recording. It blends styles and traditions that are embedded in his very musical being; among others, 5/8 dance rhythms, ballads, soukous, gospel, African rhumba, and pygmy. The album was produced by Stephen McArthur.

His strong, clear and beautiful voice, harmonizes and leads in soaring passages, and whispers in quiet ballads. His versatility testifies to his command of many African styles, genres and traditions, beyond Rwanda. He sings in sweet tenor and alto voices, in falsetto, as well as in low baritone growls, an airy South African style, and in the pygmy (intwatwa) style of southern Rwanda. He ululates. He even yells musically.

The powerful song 10 Years Remembering is one he wrote soon after arriving in the United States in 2004 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda. He was assisted in writing this song by his friend Glenn Hawkes, who heads up the organization, Rwandans and Americans in Partnership, to which part of the proceeds of this CD are being contributed.

Rehema is a lively Rwanda traditional-style dance tune which tells the story of a young Christian man who falls in love with a Muslim girl. Ngarambe is another traditional Rwandan rhythm (in 5/8). Singizwa is a gospel song based on traditional pygmy (intwatwa) style which praises God. Rwanda Rwiza is dedicated to "Beautiful Rwanda." Tuzagera is national gospel-tinged song performed in a straight-ahead soukous dance style. Twararutashaye is Samputus plea to fellow Rwandans to return to Rwanda after the genocide. Other songs include Karame Mwana, Migabo, Mana Wari Uri He, Aliwokoka, Tamara, and a bonus track a capella version of 10 Years Remembering.

He is accompanied on this recording by Aron Niyitunga, his longtime friend and a tremendously versatile musician who plays guitars, keyboard and bass. Aron sings a one solo part on Karame Mwana (Cherish The Children) and some backup, and even does a powerful short rap on the song 10 Years Remembering. His guitar playing reflects his expertise in many African and American guitar styles. Jordan Mensah from Ghana plays hand drums and hand percussion.

Click here for PDF transcript of Mark Greenberg's Interview with Jean-Paul Samputu