TWO years in the making, and many concerts later, the Ganda Boys (formerly known as Da Twinz) have expanded their sound and vision for an international audience.

The duet has been signed up by a British Band headed by former producer Craig Pruess. They signed a 25-year contract.

Taking off from where their debut album, “The War of Love”, left off, their latest well-crafted songs engage political and global themes, including some loved tribal songs from Uganda, which brought up to date with sparkling arrangements; contemporary, punchy and authentic percussion; and state-of-the-art mixing and productions.

Besides, their string arrangements with a bona-fide string orchestra, yield extra emotion, and they are tastefully incorporated. The current album has both vocal maturity and instrumental excellence, and the block tribal vocal harmonies are evocative and pleasing.

This is a complete re-working of an iconic “white man’s” song about Africa, Toto’s well known 80′s “Africa” track is turned upside down in its message: “They talk about Africa, they say they love Africa, but do they know there is war down in Africa?”. The song hits the chorus with the passion of an African choir belting out: “I bless the rains down in Africa”. Chills up the spine; these are the Ganda Boys.

Read full and intense article here: http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/631063-The-Ganda-Boyz-to-highlight-Uganda-on-musical-map.html

Craig Pruess, an American international music and film composer and platinum record producer has offered tips to Ugandan musicians.

The tips included, producing marketing music and production of musical videos for International market.
Craig Pruess is a versatile American composer, musician, arranger and gold & platinum record producer who has been living in Britain since 1973.

His career has covered diverse areas including :record production and arranging for international stars such as Sir Cliff Richard, Anu Malik, Sheila Walsh (Grammy nominated album: “War of Love”); feature film soundtrack music (“It’s a Wonderful Afterlife”, “Bride & Prejudice”, “Bend It Like Beckham

One of the founder members of Ganda boys, Craig Pruess conducted music workshops for producers, musicians and drama students of Makerere University this week.

Most of the notable musicians in the country attended the workshops that helped to enrich them with versatile of music writing and production. Craig said during an interview that he conducted special audio production workshops including composing music for visual media.

“Ugandans musician are good, but they need to learn more especially in terms of instruments and music arrangements. I dwelled much on those issues during my workshops,” he said. Craig visited various centers like Katalemwa Children’ Home , Kawolo and Lugazi hospitals where the Ganda Foundation is evolved in raising funds abroad to cater for some of the urgent needs of the hospitals.

He said that through music they raise funds to help disadvantaged people in the society especially those suffering from cancer.

The Ganda Boys was formed during 2008 through an exciting collaboration on the highly acclaimed 2009 BBC-TV drama series, MOSES JONES, which has been nominated for a 2010 BAFTA Award for Best Original Music Score by Ganda Boys, Craig Pruess.

The founding members of the Ganda Boys, Denis Muggaga, Craig Pruess and Daniel Sewagudde.

Original Full Article: http://www.newvision.co.ug/mobile/Detail.aspx?NewsID=314879&CatID=397

One of the founder members of Ganda boys, Craig Pruess will be in the country on weekend to conduct various awareness on charity work and promote music for the foundation.

He is scheduled to visit various centers like Katalemwa Children’ Home , Kawolo and Lugazi hospitals where the Ganda Foundation is involved in raising funds abroad to cater for some of the urgent needs of the hospitals.

The Foundation has worked with the Cancer Institute in Mulago and some other organizations to achieve its goals. Craig is also in the country to organize the first ever concert for Ganda boys slated early next year according to the release dated, 28, November, 2011.

Ganda Boys was formed in 2008 through an exciting collaboration on the highly acclaimed 2009 BBC TV drama series, Moses Jones, which has been nominated for a 2010 BAFTA Award for Best Original Music Score.

The founding members of the Ganda Boys, Denis Muggaga, Craig Pruess and Daniel Sewagudde, met while writing songs for the live band sequences for Moses Jones.

They finished their first album, “The War of Love”, within six months, and the final CD is remarkable – a milestone in vibrant African fusion music. Although the origins of much of the Ganda Boys music are Ugandan, the album has a “United Africa” feeling to it, with a high level of live band production.

Original Article: http://www.newvision.co.ug/mobile/Detail.aspx?NewsID=45687&CatID=384

As an artiste, it is an honour to perform at the same venue as a legend; more so if that legend would have been Michael Jackson, if not for his untimely passing on in 2009.

Well, Denis Mugagga and Daniel Sewagudde of Ganda Boys enjoyed the honour to perform at London’s O2 Arena on April 16. Ganda Boys, the band, opened with Africa, a traditional song, which filled the audience with awe and energy that some stood up to dance.

This event was organised and coordinated by UK Travel Goods Industry Support for Schools, a charity organisation, with the aim of raising money for schools and communities. And this time, the charity raised funds for four schools in Shurugwe, southern Zimbabwe.

Original article: http://allafrica.com/stories/201204200155.html

Taking off where “War of Love” finished, “Africa” has 15 vibrant new tracks, with a wider and more accessible sound than ever before.
The story-telling is there, the soul and groove are all there as before, but there is a new depth and size to the record production which has the potential to put the Ganda Boys on the international map.

Big production numbers include: “Jinja Road” – the story of the exodus from Idi Amin’s soldiers and those that lost their lives by driving their cars into the Nile River to drown; “Body of Africa“- the cry for protecting the African lands; “In the Name” – articulating the growing worldwide demand for political freedom; “Forgotten People” – an anthem for the dispossessed and those who suffer from the civil wars and strife of conflict; “Africa” – a spectacular reinvention of the famous Toto song, reinterpreting it with the inimitable Ganda Boys sound/message and a killer hook; “Coup D’etat” – the illusion of regime change in Africa; and Luganda chants featured in “Kachiiko“, “Lumonde” and “Ambuuse“. There are songs here from the heart with a lot of positivity and wisdom, too. Deep emotions and searing messages come through to transport the listener.

Funkier, lighter numbers include “Baby Baby“, “Weekend”, “Knock on the Door” and “Take a Bus”. With the Ganda Boys, it’s the Bus of Life, the Bus of Truth, African Truth, that powerfully and joyfully and sometimes poignantly weaves through our own emotional landscapes.

The sound of the album is rich and detailed, with some great musician performances, but always the lead vocals of Denis and Dan focus the experience with strength, clarity and conviction. Craig has expanded the sonic palette to include modern hip-hop beats embedded in traditional African grooves, bringing a true global fusion, accessible to a whole new waiting set of future fans. The ballads are beautifully rendered and the imaginative arrangements are crafted to the highest level.
This is an album to be savoured on repeat play, with a very long shelf-life.

“Africa” sets a new standard for international African fusion music.

CRAIG PRUESS
(A GOLD AND PLATINUM RECORD PRODUCER/GANDA BOY)