Now comes 'Night to Night', best described as a 24-hour daydream, a soundtrack to a life taking in memories of the Ugandan capital Kampala's late-night bars, of evenings lulled by the sound of the seven-stringed nanga harp, and of love stolen away on the Eurostar.
Cajun producer/guitarist Daniel Lanois sings in remembrance of a woman called 'Christine', Oryema evokes an Everypoet figure on 'Miracle Man' and sings of the Parisian metro, where the outside is only bearable underground.
Expansive guitars and multi-textured percussion blend and vie with the whimsical, the melodic and the mesmeric. This is Geoffrey Oryema at his most universal, a man forever influenced by his African heritage but expressing himself in English and opening wide to Jean-Pierre Alarcen's pop rock roots. A unique talent whose musical identity has been established away from the confines of simple categorisation.
The new set is an extraordinary tour de force, in which he drifts through accordion-backed French ballads, cajun styles, a medieval dream that mixes an African version of monastic chanting with effects that would impress Pink Floyd, gutsy African dance songs, and a mesmeric guitar-based track written, produced and performed by Daniel Lanois. He deserves to be heard.
...a montage of striking and impressive sounds that envelope the senses and take you to another place.
19 February 1998
Press review from: Rip It Up (Australia))
..a world of different songs as colourful as his own life story.
December 1996/January 1997
Press review from: Spirit Magazine (UK)
While Oryemas voice can accommodate all of the native quavers and half-steps, its his knowledge of American pop delivery - from Otis Reddings gospel shouts to Teddy Pendergrasss suave asides - that makes Night To Night an uncommon delight.
25 April - 8 May 1997
Press review from: Jam (USA)
..a tantalising mix of simple melodies, uncomplicated arrangements, economical percussion and dreamy vocals...Oryema will win new fans with this accomplished album.
March 1997
Press review from: Folk Roots (UK)
Night To Night plays like an hour in Oryemas head, with his thoughts drifting between his modern European existence and his African memories.
March 1997
Press review from: Cmj Monthly (USA)
..intelligent songs and adventurous arrangements...This beautiful and haunting collection marks Oryema as a world-beat star in the making.
February 1997
Press review from: Replay (USA)
..the blend reinforces the transculturalism of Oryemas story.
October/November 1997
Press review from: Yoga Journal (USA)
It has flashes of brilliance...and an abiding spirit of independence that you have to respect...
7 July 1997
Press review from: Cmj New Music Report (USA)
The exquisite, dreamy Night To Night...floats like a cloud, and while it is only occasionally loud, it packs a powerful punch.
20 June 1997
Press review from: Orange County Register (USA)
..examples of the textural or timbral explorations that flow from Oryemas creative juices...find me another musician anywhere whos having half this much fun.
May/June 1997
Press review from: The Beat (USA)
..a distinctive, indeed, unique sound...plays like fleeting memories of nights in the bars of Kampala, where anything might happen.
June 1997
Press review from: The Beatrhythm Music Magazine (USA)
..another step towards a spectacular mastery of fusion...the work of a man who can effortlessly weave together strands of Western and African styles and musics to create sounds and moods of breathtaking beauty.
10 January 1997
Press review from: Hull Daily Mail (UK)
...an atmospheric and polished album...
August/September 1997
Press review from: Dirty Linen (USA)
Tibet, Tibet
Charcoal Gypsies
