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THE KING'S MUSICIANS: ROYALIST MUSIC OF
BUGANDA - UGANDA
VARIOUS ARTISTS TSCD925
Recordings and text
by Peter Cooke & Klaus Wachsmann
Possibly no other African rulers maintained such a rich variety of
musical ensembles at their courts as the Kabakas (kings) of Buganda. For
several centuries their kingdom was the largest and most powerful state
in central Africa and their palaces resounded throughout each day with
music. Here is a unique sample of this musical richness, featuring the
two different xylophone ensembles, the royal flute band, the songs of
the king's harpist and lyre players, as well as praise drumming and dancing.
In 1966 the kingdom was suppressed by Prime Minister Obote and King Mutesa
died in exile. Though some of the old musicians gave an ecstatic musical
welcome to his son, Mutebi on his return in 1987 (also recorded here),
some of this music may soon become little more than dim memory.
• "Astonishing recordings from the 1960s and 80s – great recordings of a vanished tradition. A best album of 2003.” The Wire
