Kampala — A story is told of a teenage daughter of a prominent Ugandan female musician who made a grand entry to Uganda's showbiz arena and got everyone talking. One never failed to notice her presence at most social functions. The paparazzi fell in love with her and still are.

That appeal would later earn her a job as a music show host on WBS TV and Radio Presenter at Hot 100, a Teens-based FM radio station. It is amazing how this 20-year-old musician/TV Presenter has impressively metamorphosed from the 18- year-old wannabe we once knew to the pinup artiste she is today. It is what they call being born with a silver spoon, but Rachel Kay is now focusing on being known for her musical talent than as the daughter of a prominent female singer.

Rachel's public image may be larger than her music but her new album, Fusion, is a confirmation of artistic maturity. Few of our local artistes can ably express themselves in varied styles and yet still, not so many do it perfectly. Rachel manages to illustrate this artistic quality on one album. She takes credit for successfully working on her vocals and making a fair attempt at singing Luganda, although it is still a long while to perfection.

The album is a compilation of hip-hop, rap, jazz and R&B, seasoned with Afro beat, the reason it is titled Fusion. Rachel believes she is talented enough to do several kinds of music and she had to change her style to "fit into what Ugandans want to hear".

Perhaps the first artiste to have collaboration with Moze Radio and Weazel, Uganda's new music heartthrobs, Rachel and the boys sound impressive on Unaniumiza, the title track. In Unaniumiza, Rachel's heart longs for someone but she is so young he has to wait until she completes school. This groovy track will definitely give her recognition as it identifies with the East African fan base.

Every time, the track she did with former stage-mate Karyn, talks of the magic of love at first sight. I love the Way is an energy-packed dance track and collaboration with Karyn. Rachel pairs up with music veteran Ragga Dee on Dumba, a nursery rhyme that does nothing more than remind one that this singer is managed by Uganda's nursery rhyme specialist, her mother, Halima Namakula.

Haven't Known U is a great work of R&B/soul production and a song which tells a lot about Rachel's credentials as an artiste. The vocals and song arrangement on this track make this doubtlessly some of the best music you will hear from this singer.

Whereas Fusion will not automatically put Rachel on the scale of Uganda's best female artistes, this compilation demonstrates her as one of Uganda's promising talent. It is all up to her whether she makes herself comfortable with what she has now or makes the sky her limit. She has constantly been accused of being in her mum's shadow but she believes she is now an adult who makes independent decisions for her life and career.

"For me, the real thing is not that my mum controls me but that she is the only person I have a lot to learn from." To her, this album is a celebration of her career so far. She wants her music to gain substantial listener-ship before the idea of staging solo concerts comes underway. "Fusion is an inspiration of real-life experiences and what happens to people around me", she says.

The album was co-produced by producers Henry Kiwuuwa and Deno at No-End studios. It features other songs like Maisha, Africa, Is It Me, Today, Rhythm of Love, Simple Girl and Angel, which features Dr Propa.