OVER A DECADE IN STUDIO PRODUCTIONS WITH OPERATIONS IN OXFORD, KAMPALA, TRONDHEIM
Company
"AMSPUG" is
in full Audio and Multimedia Studio
Productions Uganda, NorGe
(Norway). "TRAXBOX" is derived from the line " (the) Tracks'
Box" the nickname by which the studio was known at earlier times - not the least literally because
it was only a cardboard enclosure (the 'box') where Keyboard accompaniment instrumentals ('tracks') were made
for our clients!
Legal Status
In 1995 the studio was officially registered
as a legal business under the name 'TRAXBOX Audio and Multimedia Studio Productions' in Kampala, Uganda.
Following moving to Norway in 1999-2001, the general shortened term AMSPUG was adopted as part of the
trading name of the business, in Norway and subsequently everywhere else. The business is currently operating in Oxford and
Kampala under private mangemement and enterpreneurship.
History
Founded
As Megatonne hits and Killer Slows Jams "Traxbox Studios" in the booming Namuwongo surburb of Kampala, Uganda in
1995, we have grown from a small bedroom studio affair to a fully equipped digital recording studio with operations in
Uganda,Norway and U.K.
|
|
|
TraxBox was
a result of experimental musicians efforts aiming out on their own to produce and promote original modern (initially Afripop
biased) music in a less than favourable environment. The local recording services at the time tended to be as a priority
commercial businesses with first interest in instant high profit rather than promotion, while offering limited quality or
professional expertise or patience needed to realise any serious work. The local radio stations if at
all interested placed prohibitive conditions on local artists, for instance international-level product
quality and paying (read bribe) for air-time, generally a regretable narrow-minded attitude that seriously bogged down local talent.
Under such
adversities, Traxbox opted for the realistic, albeit risky strategy: operate as an independent label/self
promotion venture, and develop music from grassroots with basically unsigned but promising artists, something
which main-stream promoters were reluctant to undertake as it meant -
- investing own capital and personal
assets at high uncertainity
-giving free services, studio use/unsecured
credit to untested, unpromoted artists
-Experimenting with non-mainstream music, unfamiliar
to audience, hence not readily marketable
-direct competition with better facilitated imports which
as well retailed cheaper
Luckily through joint effort, perseverence and
committment to objectives, this venture has paid off, we can say, as witnessed by the two main indicators,
1. All original artists have gone on to become successful
and leading stars in their own rights both on the local scene, as well as internationally. See some profiles here.
2. Directly following the pioneering spirit and
work of the artists above, gradual acceptance and recognition for local talent, culminating in the current
prolifiration of locally-grown music styles and genres, and the ultimate victory for local products in that all stations now
play them almost exclusively, away from the dominance of imported music of the mid 1990's.
The future
The studio recognises the great contribution of all our clients to date, and
everyone who worked with us or simply supports our work, including fellow colleagues in the business in Uganda, UK and elsewhere.
Traxbox continues to develop music and applications, and indeed is releasing new material of similar cutting edge all the
time.
Please feel free to visit our guestbook (see page top or bottom) to review this article and add your own insights.
|
|
|
Guestbook View Guestbook
 |
|
Current Operations
Oxford, U.K. Latest state-of-the-art midi
based production system, with extended live recording if required at the new Leys Recording Soundworks Studio Oxford.
Address: TRAXBOX AMSPUG, No 9 College Flats College
Road, Littlemore, OXFORD, OX4 4LJ, United Kingdom.
Kampala,Uganda: Digital Studio Production facilities are located at our new Studio in Bukasa-Muyenga.
Address: Plot 801, Bukasa-Muyenga Katongole Zone, P.O.Box 7270 Kampala, Uganda.
PLEASE NOTE WORK IS IN SUSPENSION AS STUDIO IS BEING RENOVATED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
2007/2008.
A few of Our Clientele
1995-2001 -Traxbox is associated
with the productions of the chart-hitting music of the following musicians
Da Hommies -
'Bamusakata' & 'Mukwano' Albums
Voice A
- 'Lonely' and other singles
Lubiri Rythms -
'Lubiri Rythms' Album 1996-7
Exreal
- 'The Best of Exreal' Album 2000-2001
Compilations -
Various Artists, 1996-date
2001-2002, 2003-2004-The groups Exreal and Voice A worked on several records in 2001-2004 now to be soon released . We are in the
final stages of releasing new albums for other new groups as well as new artists, including
Joss Jjew -
'Kake' SavannahSoul Album
Exreal
- 'The best of Exreal' Vols 1,2,3 Albums
Amspug Savsoul Parade Series -
Re-instrumentals and remix cover versions of various works commissioned by various
clients
|
|
|
|
Our Business Philosophy
Broad-minded experimental spirit, setting rather than following the trend,
maintaining the edge..
The modern cross-cultural music scene is diverse
and dynamic, constituted of all genre of music both contemporary and traditional, and in all age groups. Such diversity
ensures high creativity and originality while transcending traditional socio-physical borders, making this type of music indeed
a universal language.
Traxbox Amspug sets its main objective
as such, to
harness and develop this and other unique aspects
of productions by a concientious application of modern technology and practice, with a view to elevating
the works to an international standing as a competitive distinctly original product. Our objectives are thus to:
-Provide custom production services for all
client irrespective of music genre.
- Offer most affordable rates and terms
across all services recording, production, sales
-Actively encourage new music genres
-Promote new cross-cultural styles ,
such as 'Savannah-Soul'
-Market and promote products through our own Recording Label 'Amspug
Music and Records', and through Retail marchandising and Internet based online commerce.
|
Guestbook View Guestbook
|
|
|
|
|
|
Personnel and Staff
UK Operations
Joseph Mawejje
BTec Mus Tech & Sound Eng (UK)
BSc. MSc (Norway)
Production Director
Experise in synthesiser
keyboards and DAW-based producing and compositions. 10+year run in live and studio work for leading groups, originally in
Uganda,See 'profiles' page for discology and samples of past and current works.
(Picture soon..) David
Norland
Mus Tech & Sound Eng (UK)
Consultant Production Director
10+years expertide in
live and studio emgineering work, original membership with leadingmusic groups in the UK. All studio recording
work, mix/mastering, analog tape or DAW , and top end training.. 'Profile' info being updated.
(Picture soon..) Jack Kinobe
Promotions/Video Consultant
Profile info being updated
Associates and partners
Atomico AI (Holland)
Ragga Dee (UK, Uganda)
Arise Enterprises (UK)
{..update in progress.}.
|
