NAKURU, KENYA: The most celebrated Ohangla artistes, Emma Jalamo who stays true to form to serve fans with ‘Sherry’ and lots of mature and contemplative music will be in Nakuru this Friday 30th at Bontana Hotel.
Emma mostly referred by his fans as ‘Opija’ delivers piercingly whistle in sync with the tune and, surprisingly his signature.
His music presents a mature side of him, evidence that his music is continuously evolving. Here is a musician who has reached a point where he is comfortable with his craft.
The songs are slower, more contemplative and as always, danceable. And the keyboard rendition is inventive, melodious and on-beat, something that has always set him apart from other purveyors of the genre.
Perhaps nowhere are these features more evident than in Sherry, which is the title number on this effort. A love song, the number is typical Emma-craft. The trademark “conversation” between the instruments and the vocalist is had.
The start is a slow, danceable beat with a heavy rhumba accent. It is evident, if ever any was needed, that Emma’s music has slowly become a deliberate fusion between ohangla and rhumba. Tellingly, his band is called ROR (Ramogi Ohangla Rhumba)
The same general format or variations of it are evident in the other four songs on the album: Raila, Wivu Mbaya, Tr Obwanda Jaimbo and Olendo Wuod Dala.
His music is unique with humour, discipline and overall professionalism, in the process, he has cultivated vibrant following, mostly among the normally fickle, urban youth.
“For me, Emma’s is not just a fan base. It is a movement, a way of life. He is creative in a playful way, and most important of all, professional,” says Jack Bambo, his fan.
