The Porter label unearths this fantastic soul jazz obscurity from the early ‘70s. Credited only to the name of Birigwa, this Ugandan born singer/songwriter/guitarist was 23 at the time, attending the New England Conservatory when he recorded this self-titled album, with a band that features members of Stark Reality. There are moments here where his music sounds like a Caetano Veloso album recorded in South Africa.

A teenage recording artist in the sixties, the Ugandan born Birigwa found himself in Boston at the start of the next decade, studying at the New England Conservatory. It was there that he recorded this exceptional -- sometimes even stunning -- collection of African acoustic soul jazz-tinged tunes, which originally found release on the local Seeds label. Self-penned and emotive, Birigwa's skilled acoustic guitar playing is supported by polyrhythmic time signatures and a stellar backing band that includes members of Stark Reality. It's a pretty unusual sound, and reminds me a bit of Caetano Veloso's Tran Sa or any stellar Brazilian Afro-acoustic records from that time period for that matter. Highly Recommended!! [DH] (February 27, 2008)