I had not heard of Oryema until in the past year. Sometimes, late at night as I’m trying to wrap up work, I will turn to WUOT on my stereo. That way I’m not pot-committed on a full album on the record player. The pleasures of being OCD. It was there that I heard “Lpj Christine,” did a quick Shazam to figure out the info.
Upon reading about Geoffrey Oryema, surprised I had not heard of him before. His first three albums were released on Real World Records, Peter Gabriel’s own record label and studio, and Brian Eno worked on the albums. I can even hear Daniel Lanois‘ distinctive pedal steel on the aforementioned “Lpj Christine.” But Real World also released so many albums, it was difficult to keep up.
Oryema was an Ugandan musician who lived in exile most of his life. It’s interesting exploring Night To Night, which is an incredibly diverse, mostly low-key album. For the most part the album seems to be melding world music with some of the abstract electronics and repeating patterns that had been Gabriel’s raison d’être. But it mixes up. “Sardinia Memories (After Hours)” sounds like a song you’d hear in a Parisian cafe. “Sardinia Memories (Early Evening)” sounds like a straight up Tejano track. “On This Night”’s opening makes me think of The Call at their grandest, massive, dynamic sound. About 80% of this album is downtempo, but there are edges of styles that make this album stand out and more interesting. I’d love to know where Oryema drew his inspiration and influences.
Makes the playlist: Sardinia Memories (After Hours), Naa Dream, Lpj Christine, Dancing Steps (Ballad), Passage At Dusk, Bye Bye Lady Dame
