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- Project Name: Omega Bugembe Okello
- Release Name: Kiwomera Emmeeme
- Client: Omega World Music
- Release Date: May 27, 2008
- Official Site: Click Here
- Myspace: Click Here
- Project Manager: Nathalie
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Omega draws from her African, in particular Ugandan, roots to bless her listeners with a rich worldly flavour. Musically, she is old school in a new school kind of way, using her music as a medium of healing, loving, education, empowerment and celebration with well thought out lyrics and a memorable voice to boot.
Omega's new CD, Kiwomera Emmeeme, which in Luganda means "it is sweet to the soul," is an explosion of ethnic and western sounds. The album is a compilation of 10 songs; 8 of which she wrote. Most of the songs were originally written in English but translated to Luganda and Swahili. Omega incorporated the help of several people, including award-winning Ugandan songwriter Sylver Kyagulanyi to write the song Gunyuma – "Love is a wonderful thing." She also collaborated with musicians from the USA, Madagascar, South Africa and Kenya to create an internationally stamped album. The song Tugilabilile, which means "Let's take care of the earth," was written for the environmentally conscious. She also recorded a slew of other songs including Gwe wangamba – "You said" and the album's debut single, Mujje - "The Invitation."
Omega is on a quest to show the world the talented, happy, wealthy, musical Africa they are rarely exposed to. Her album, which is a reflection of her travels, flawlessly merges several cultures with tinges of jazz, blues, R &B, neo soul, gospel, contemporary and pop, blending with traditional African melodies. The instruments are a rich cultural assortment of fretless bass guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, percussions, drums, keys traditional tube fiddle and African xylophones. Indeed, it is no wonder that her music has global appeal.
Kiwomera Emmeeme from Omega Okello is in stores and online May 27th, 2008.
Album title: "Kiwomera Emmeeme"
Artist: Omega Bugembe Okello
Song order on the album
1. Kiwomera Emmeeme
2. Mujje
3. Yaye
4. Ndituusa Wa?
5. Gunyuma
6. You said
7. Zibasanze
8. Tugilabilile
9. Amazima
10. Utama wa Mapenzi
11. Hidden track (gospel/world feel)
Song Credits & Lyrics English translation included after each line.
Kiwomera Emeeme (It is sweet to the soul): Written by Omega Bugembe Okello/Fretless bass, acoustic guitar, percussion, drums, keys and other effects: Paul Avgerinos/Background Vocals: Paul Avgerinos, Omega Bugembe Okello/Lead Vocals: Omega Bugembe Okello/Musical & vocal arrangement: Paul Avgerinos & Omega Bugembe Okello
+Prov 13:12, 19+
Dondo ndi ndo dondododo (la la la)//Osuubira, nosuubira, nosuubira (We often hope for different things to come to pass)/Enkuba oba enentonya (we sometimes hope that it'll rain)/Omusana gunayaka (sometimes we hope that the sun will shine)/Oba omulwade wange anawona (we even hope that a physically unwell loved one will recover)//Esuubi elilwawo lisundikiliza ememe (Hope deferred makes the heart sick)/Naye ekyegombebwa bwe kija (But when desire comes)/Kiba muti gwabulamu (it is a tree of life)/Nolwekyo va mukusubila obusuubizi (So then, don't just hope)/Ode mukukiliza (add a little faith to that hope) /Kubanga ekyo kyosubila, bwokiliza kiga kubaako (Because if you have faith, you'll receive what you're hoping for)//Dondo ndi ndo dondododo (la la la)// Bwobawo ngolindilila (When you're in a situation where your expectantly waiting on something to happen)/ Kyolindilila nekita gya, (and what you're awaiting doesn't happen)/ wena muli ofuuka munakuwavu (there's a great feeling of disappointment)/nemmeeme nesindukililwa (you feel heart sick)/ Nolwekyo va mukusubila obusuubizi (So then, don't just hope)/ Ode mukukiliza (add faith to your hope)/
Kubanga ekyo kyosubila, bwokiliza kiga kubaako (Because if you have faith, you'll receive what you're hoping for)// Ekyegombebwa bwekitukilia (when a long awaited desire is fulfilled)/
Kiwomera ememe (it is sweet to the soul)
Mujje (An invitation): Written by Omega Bugembe Okello/Bass: Leo Traversa/ Acoustic Guitar, Keys: Tony Cedras/Drums: Damon Duewhite/Other effects: Paul Avgerinos, Background Vocals: Tony Cedras, Omega Bugembe Okello/Lead Vocals: Omega Bugembe Okello/Musical & vocal arrangement: Tony Cedras, Sam Kyobe Omega Bugembe Okello,
Mujje, Mujje, Mujje, Mujje (Here's an invitation for you)//Omulokzi Yesu Yagya Okukuwonya
(Jesus the Savior came to this earth to rescue you) /Ofune Obulamu (He wanted to do this, so that you can have a full life here and life eternal)//Yaweleza omwana we (God sent His son)/ Akwagala nyo Yesu (Jesus came because he loves you very much)//Muwe obulamu bwo Yesu akwagala (Give your life to Jesus because he loves you)/Yaja okukuwonya ofune obulamu
(He came to save you so that you can have eternal life)//Mujje, Mujje, Mujje Gyali (this invitation is from the creator)/ Yesu abayita (Jesus is calling out to you)/ Jangu Gyali (Come to Him)/Omulokozi akwagala (The Savior loves you)
Yaye (Mourning): Written by Omega Bugembe Okello/Bass: Kip Sophos/ Acoustic Guitar, accordion, percussion: Tony Cedras/Background Vocals: Tony Cedras, Omega Bugembe Okello/Lead Vocals: Omega Bugembe Okello/Musical & vocal arrangement: Tony Cedras, Omega Bugembe Okello
Yaye, Yaye (I am mourning)/ Wulira, Wulira Okukaaba (Hear the crying)/
Wulira, Wulira edoboozi (Hear the voice)//Nkabira bantu bange (I'm crying/mourning/weeping for my people)//Mukomewo Gyendi (Return to me)//Mukomewo (return) Mukomewo Gyendi nze Omutonzi (Return to your maker)
Ndituusa Wa? (How long?): Written by Omega Bugembe Okello/Bass: Leo Traversa/Acoustic Guitar & Percussion: Tony Cedras/Background Vocals: Paul Avgerinos, Omega Bugembe Okello/Lead Vocals: Omega Bugembe Okello/ Musical & Vocal arrangement: Tony Cedras, Omega Bugembe Okello
+Habakkuk 1:1-5+
Ndituusa wa okukaaba, nawe nga tokkiriza kuwulira(How long shall I cry, and you will not hear)/Nkukaabira olw'eby'kyejo, so gwe nga tokkiriza kulokola (I even cry out to you violence, and you will not save)/Ndaba obutalibutukirivu, ntunuulira obukyamu (I see iniquity, I see trouble)/Okunyaga n'ekyejo biri mu maaso gange (Plundering and violence are before me)
Era waliwo empaka no kuyomba kubaawo (There is strife, and contention arises)/Kirabika amteeka gaddiride so n'omusango tegufulumangako n'akatono (The law looks powerless, and justice never goes forth)/Omubi azinginzza omutukirivu (The wicked surround the righteous)/
Omusango kyeguva gufuluma nga gunyoledwa (therefore perverse judgment proceeds)/
Gunyoledwa, O gunyoledwa(Perverse and crooked judgment proceeds)//Mulabe mu mawanga
(Look among the nations)/Museeyo omwoyo (Watch and pay attention)/Katonda agenda kukolera omulimu mu nnaku zammwe (God will work a work in your days)/Gwemutalikiriza newakubadde nga mugubuuliddwa (Which you would not believe even though it were told you) //Muja kwewuunya nyo nnyini (You will be utterly astounded)
Gunyuma (Love is a wonderful thing)*: Written by Sylver Kyagulanyi/ Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Keys and other effects: Fred "Wallace" Walusimbi/ Background Vocals: Simon Peter Kigozi, Jemimah Nassanga, Deborah Nanyonjo, Omega Bugembe Okello/Lead Vocals: Omega Bugembe Okello/ Musical & Vocal arrangements: Fred "Wallace" Walusimbi
Luganda version
Munsi Mulimu enaku nyingi (There is great sorrow in the world)/Emitima egimenyeka buli lunaku (hearts are breaken)/ Naye mulimu esanyu lingi (juxtaposed upon this sadness is also great happiness)/Awaba okwagala wabaawo esanyu (where there is love, there is happiness)/
Laba bwonsangula amaziga (you've wiped my tears away)/Kano akseeko kumatama omutima gwange mpulila guzeemu esuubi (this smile on my face signifies a new found hope)//
Ehh ehh(yeah)/Muli ninga akwatidwako malayika (I feel like I've been touched by an angel)/
Laba ebiloto byange bifuuse byazaabu (my dreams have turned to gold)/Bwona obulamu tebukyalina tabu nedda (I haven't a care in this world)/Nali simanyi, nti omukwano gunyuma bweguti (I really didn't know that love could be pleasurable in this way)//Nange newuunya engeli gyonjagalamu (I am so amazed at how you love me)/ Gwe mukwano gwange, olimwami wange (you're my friend and you are my husband too)/Ate oyimilila nange, ompaniriranyo ondaga nyo omukwano (You stand by me, you support me, and you show me the meaning of true friendship)/Buli kyonsuubiza okikola (you keep your word)/ nze okusisinkana gwe ntegeka ya Mukama (our meeting was predestined)/Yakumpa nga kirabo (You are God's gift to me.)
You said (Gwe wangamba): Written by Omega Bugembe Okello/ Bass: Leo Traversa /Drums: Damon Duewhite/Keys, Acoustic Guitar, and Accordion: Tony Cedras /Background Vocals: Paul Avgerinos, Omega Bugembe Okello/Lead Vocals: Omega Bugembe Okello/Musical & vocal arrangements: Tony Cedras, Omega Bugembe Okello Nali mpubaala, nali newunika nga silina nkolagana yanamadala (I was lonely, lonely for true relationship/ Nali netaga omuntu okunjala nga bwenatondebwa (I needed, someone to love me for me)/ Naye nali simanyi nti gwe gwenali netaaga (But I didn't know, that it was you, I was so lonely for)/ Nedda, nali simanyi okutuusa lwenwandabikila (No, I didn't know till you revealed yourself)// Gwe wanjagala, Gwe wandokola (You loved me, you saved me)/ Nongmba mbele mukwano gwo (You said I could be your friend)/ Gwe waninda, ela nondaga ekifananyi ekyokwagala okwagala (You waited, you painted, a picture of true love)/ nonfula mukwano gwo (and said I could be your friend// Nasoka nendwaawao okutwala ekigambo kyo okukiriza ebigambo byo byewangamba (I waited, a little while before taking you at your word)/ nali njagala you omuntu omulala ankakase (I needed, someone to give me greater assurances)/ Nendyoka ntegelela nti yegwe gwe, ddala yegwe mulindwa (Then I figured out that it was you, I had been waiting for)/Kakati nakikakasa kati namatira nti yegwe (Now I really know because you made it clear)//chorus//nali njayana, nga njayanira ekinajuza omuwatwa (I was longing, longing for you to fill the void)/ nali netaaga ekintu ekyomulamwa omulala yena kyatayinza kumpa (I needed, something more substantive than what others could give)/ nendyoka manya, nentegela, nekizula nti ye gwe (Then I figured out, that it was you, You could fill the void in my life)/ Kakati nakikakasa nematira nti ofayo (Yeah I figured out that you really cared)//chorus//
Zibasanze (Woe): Written by Omega Bugembe Okello/ Thumb Piano: Omega Bugembe Okello/Percussion, bass guitar, keys and other effects: Paul Avgerinos/ Lead Vocals: Omega Okello/Musical & Vocal arrangements: Paul Avgerions,Omega Bugembe Okello
+Isaiah 5:20-23+
Zibasanze, Zibasanze, Zibasanze (Woe, Woe, Woe)
Abo abayita ekibi ekirungi (to those who call evil good)
N'ekirungi ekibi (and good evil)
Zibasanze, Abateeka ekizikiza mu kifo ky'omusana (Woe to those who put darkness for light)
N'omusaana mukifo kye'kizikiza (and light for darkness)
Abateeka okukaawa mukifo ky'okuwomerera (those who substitute bitter for sweet)
N'okuwoomerera mukifo kyokukawa (and sweet for bitter)
Zibasanze mwe, Zibasanze Zibasanze (Woe to you who practice such things)
Abo abalina amaagezi mu maaso gaabwe bo (to those who are wise in their own eyes)
Era abakabaka mu kulaba kwabe bo (And prudent in their own sight)
Zibasanze (Woe to those)
Abateeka obutuukirivu ku babi olwenguzi (who justify the wicked for a bribe)
Era abagya kumutukirivu obutuukirivu bwe (and take away justice from the righteous man)
Abo abagya kumutukirivu obutuukirivu bwe (those who take away justice from the righteous)
Zibasanze, Zibasanze mwe (Woe, woe to you who practice such things)
Tugilabilile (Let's take care of the earth): Written by Omega Bugembe Okello & Freddy Clarke/Bass, Acoustic Guitar, drums and other effects: Freddy Clarke/ Percussion: Omega Bugembe Okello/ Background Vocals: Omega Bugembe Okello & Freddy Clarke/Lead Vocals: Omega Bugembe Okello/ Musical & Vocal arrangements: Freddy Clarke & Omega Bugembe Okello,
Labayo ensi eno ngabweyake no musaana
(Behold how brightly the earth shines with the sun)
Omusana gwaka mumitima gyabantu
(The Son shines in the hearts of the people)
Nenjuba nayo eyaka mukilo
(And because of the son the moon shines in the night)
Kale nawe gilabilile
(You should take responsibility and take care of the earth)
Ffena tukwatile wamu tugilabilile
(We should all work together to take care of it)
Kubanga eno ensi tulina emu yoka
(We should because, we only have one earth)
Labayo abaana abato nga bazanyila munkuba
(Look at the little kids playing in the rain)
Etonya, netobya neyoza ate nga bwefukilila ebimela
(The rain falls, and wets, and cleanses, all the while watering the vegetation)
Ago amazi gegamu getunwa
(That same water is the water we drink)
Era getunaba, omutonzi byona yabilowozako
(It is also the water we use to clean our bodies, The creator thought of it all)
Okutuwa ensi etambula obulungi ngeno (He gave us an infranstracture that that operates smoothly as it should)
Amazima (Truth) : Written by Omega Bugembe Okello & Freddy Clarke/ Yangqin player: Yangqin Zhao/ Guzhen player: Gangqin Zhao/Percussion and Ugandan drum effect: Omega Bugembe Okello/Bass, Acoustic Guitar, drums and other effects: Freddy Clarke/Lead Vocals: Omega Bugembe Okello/ Back Ground Vocals: Omega Bugembe Okello, Freddy Clarke/ Musical & Vocal arrangements: Omega Bugembe Okello, Freddy Clarke
Tulabagana bulijjo , Tuysinganya mu makubo
(We see each other every day, We by pass each other on the street)
Eyo Kumugga, Oluusi Kulubimbi
(We bypass each other at the well, sometimes it's in the garden )
Ate ne mu ma office (Even at the work place/office)
Netuysinganya ngoli ali mu motoka ye, ate ngomulala ali ku boda boda
(We by pass each other, each of us in our own vehicles, others on their motor bikes)
Gwe wanimba, Gwe wanimba (Mankind lives a lie)
Nze silimbwa, Nze silimbwa (I will not be sucked into that lie)
Amazima goka genjagala, mu mamazima mulimu okwagalana
(Truth is all I seek, truth is about loving one another)
Twetika ebizito, netuyisinganya nga tugoba emaali
(We carry heavy loads, we continue to overlook each other's needs in search of the almighty dollar)
Buli omu neyetika emigugu gye (Each individual carries his or her own burden)
Olusi tetulabagana, netulwanangana, nga tulimbagana
(We often don't see eye to eye, we fight and lie to each other)
Amazima ge mazima (Truth is truth)
Tambulila mu mazima (Walk in truth)
Yagala muno, musitulileko ebizitowa, bela wa mazima, labililia bano
(Love your neighbor; help him carry his burden, be truthful, take care of one another
Utama wa Mapenzi*: Written by Sylver Kyagulanyi/Translated by: PRISCILLA & Timothy Ondeng, Njeri Njuguna, & Liz Katigo/Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Keys and other effects: Fred "Wallace" Walusimbi/ Background Vocals: Simon Peter Kigozi, Jemimah Nassanga, Deborah Nanyonjo, Omega Bugembe Okello/Lead Vocals: Omega Bugembe Okello/ Musical & Vocal arrangements: Fred "Wallace" Walusimbi
Swahili Version: For translation see Luganda version.
Dunia ni kuna huzuni nynigi
Myoyo inavunjika kila siku
Hata hivyo kuna furaha nyingi
Panapo upendo kuna furaha
Machozi yangu unayapanguza
Kicheko hiki usoni mwangu
Kinamaanisha tumaini
Imerudi Moyoni
Chrs
Moyoni nahisi nimeguzwa namalaika
Tazama ndoto zangu zime kuwa kama thahabu
Maisha yangu sasa haina tatizo yeyote
Tena sikukujuwa mapenzi yaweza kuwa hivi
Nami nina shaga jinsi unavio nipenda
We mpenzi wangu, Bawana wangu
Tena unasimama namii
Rafiki mwema ambae naweza kutegmea
Ehh ehh
Album Mastered by Michael Fossenkemper at Turtle Tone in NYC.
Produced by Paul Avgerinos at Studio Unicorn, Redding, CT
Song marked with * was partially recorded and partially produced at First Love Studios in Uganda, by Fred "Wallace" Walusimbi of First Love.
CD cover design: Timothy Ondeng & Brian Buyungo
Executive Producer: AlexOm Productions LLC
www.omegaworldmusic.com
Omega Thank Yous
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when desire is fulfilled, it is truly sweet to the soul. Thank you God for making this happen. Truly exciting to take all this stuff I've had stored up in side and then finally being able to share it with the world. Richard Okello, you're a wonderful husband, partner and friend. Thanks for not only believing in the project, but standing by me from its inception to its completion. Lola & Stef, thanks for my home in Connecticut, the meals and the love and support. To the musicians and my producer…… you are the best!!! Thank you for helping me interpret what was inside of me. The project was hard work, but great fun too. Thank you to the Opiokello and Lubwama family, my prayer team plus all the friends that have supported me through this project.