Records

“At last there’s a secret horse entering the race that can compete for the role as premier pre-consummation banger… This music is fast-paced, unstoppably celebratory , and engineered to get the optimism up until it’s spilling out of your mouth and ears.” – Tiny Mix Tapes

“One of our favourite albums of the year. Gulu City Anthems comprises eleven hot-footed bangers… Tracks such as ‘Anyomo label (Pailyec)’ and ‘Wilobo Lanyi’ are breathless, polyrhythmic workouts, but the album’s lighter moments feel just as valuable. ‘Cam Ki lawoti II’, ‘Coo oromo’ and ‘Agiki ne tye’ make a breezy, joyous trilogy anchoring the album’s back half with earworm synths that make Gulu City Anthems feel like a focused, definitive statement instead of just a collection of a career highlights.” – FACT magazine.

“One of (Nyege Nyege Tapes) standout releases so far and a must-hear for anyone wishing to delve into the music of the region.” – Independent newspaper, UK.

“Otim Alpha’s Gulu City Anthems reimagined traditional Larakaraka wedding songs for an all-electronic context, not unlike what Omar Souleyman did for Syrian dabke.” – Pitchfork

“One of the highlights of making ‘EGOLI’ was working with and getting to know Otim Alpha. He has become such a close friend. I was utterly blown away by Otim’s talents. To be honest, he is one of the most talented musicians I have ever come in contact with. When we came together, ‘Mama’ poured out of us in an afternoon; it was so special, one of those moments you can’t really describe. Magical actually. Otim’s music is amazing, Uganda is amazing and the projects he is involved in are a testament to basically everyone wanting to work with him.” – Georgia

“There’s a distinct crackle of energy about the collaborations on EGOLI. You hear it on City Lights, where the Mahotella Queens, a veteran mbaqanga trio, team up with Zinner, British producer Georgia and Otim Alpha, pioneer of an electro take on traditional Acholi music. The result is rich, beautiful electronic pop music, a weirdly affecting hint of melancholy audible amid the pacy rhythm track and ravey synth stabs; it sounds really commercial without resembling anything you’d hear on Radio 1.” – the Guardian

“It’s a full-throttle album that sees big names and burgeoning stars rub shoulders for what may be the collective’s most enjoyable to date.” – NME

“Egoli is a party album almost end to end, an update on Buraka Som Sistema’s Angolan-Portuguese rave dynamics and more like a Gorillaz record than anything you might normally file under ‘world music’.” – the Observer

“This is the strongest Africa Express collection to date. What started as a well-intentioned passion project feels more vital and fully realised than ever.” – the Evening Standard

“New talent meets old school.” – the Financial Times

“If you’re after a party playlist, look no further… Egoli is a force of energy, from the pulsating ‘City in Lights’ to the slower groove of ‘Johannesburg’. It’s rough around the edges, but that’s part of its charm – a testament to the energy and ideas thrown about in such a short space of time, and the vibrancy of collaboration.” – DIY Mag

“Tongwen’ catches Ugandan electro acholi star Otim Alpha at his deepest and driving.” – Boomkat

“‘Tong Gweno’ is another hyper-frenetic electronic Acholi cut from Otim Alpha.… Otim is still making one of the most furious electronic music from East Africa.” – Pan African Music