The River

Geoffrey Oryema

Released 05 October 1993

  1. The River (The Eno Mix)
  2. The River (Edit)
  3. Suzanne
  4. Land of Anaka

Liner notes

‘The River’ is the lead single from Geoffrey Oryema‘s 1993 sophomore album Beat The Border. Featuring a remix by Brian Eno, Geoffrey performed the song live on The Today Show in the USA with Peter Gabriel whilst on the 1994 WOMAD tour of North America.

The album was included in Q Magazine’s Top 50 albums of 1993, and Billboard described it as ‘a harmonious marriage between traditional and Western influences.’

The official video for 'The River', directed by Michael Coulson

Further Listening

  • Beat The Border

    Geoffrey Oryema

    Released 26 September 1993

    On this album, the powerful roots of Oryema's African heritage have a more subtle influence on the music. The songs are now more universal, expressed in English, his second language, and influenced by guitarist Jean-Pierre Alarcen's pop-rock roots.

Further reading

Real World Records to release ‘lost album’ by the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Discovered in the label's archives, the album captures the singer at the height of his vocal powers.

The Almighty Groove offers Colombian rhythms and African roots on debut EP Frère d’Afrique

The Almighty Groove is the new production imprint of long-time musical adventurer, John Hollis.

Real World Sessions: Owen Spafford & Louis Campbell, 5 December 2023

New folk duo Owen Spafford & Louis Campbell visited the studio to record a new EP for Real World X.

‘I’m really moved by people’s response to it’ – John Metcalfe discusses the album Tree

John Metcalfe releases three new remixes of tracks from his album 'Tree' and brings a special perfor...