This two disc set explores the music of 1970s Nigeria in the period after the Biafran war. It demonstrates a fresh national confidence and a variety beyond the juju music that most Westerners associate with the country. It also reveals Celestine Ukwu, a dazzling star who would die too soon.
There are a huge variety of mind-blowing sounds in the 26 songs on Nigeria Special. I have spent a month with them and keep finding new favorites. The funk of The Don Isaac Ezekiel Combination is crisp and rousing. The Semi Colon (the ever-eccentric and self-praising Lasbrey Colon) flits between genres, referencing Fela Kuti's vocals, a 4/4 beat and wicked guitar. The Nigerian Police Force Band's “Asko Mi Ni” (This is my time) bursts with taut confidence and a superb highlife blues feel.
In 1965, ex-wrestler Sir Victor Uwaifo & His Melody Maestros scored the first gold disc in Nigeria. In his career he forged the Akwete highlife style, and then combined that with US soul, before he began to interpret ancient Benin court music with his quasi-psychedelic guitar. Here Victor and band perform their take on a traditional religious ode produced for his appearance at Expo '70 in Japan. In contrast, "Feso Jaiye" (Take Life Easy) by The Sahara All Stars of Jos starts as a trumpet-driven highlife piece before mutating into subterranean Afro-jazz. Also here is probably the only piece of music recorded by Leo Fadaka & The Heroes: a charming concoction with scratch guitar, wah wah, and cool drum breaks.
In the midst of such treasures, the major find is Celestine Ukwu, who made six LPs for Philips but was killed in a 1977 car crash. I am sure he could have enjoyed success beyond his homeland. Actually, if you would give me six months start on the quest to find all his albums I'd appreciate it. On the 1974 track "Okwukwe Na Nchekwube" (Faith and Trust) Ukwu's voice floats over an ultra soothing guitar line. He looks like a prince and his relaxed style effortlessly generates a powerful and positive vibe. I can't create a 45 second sound sample here that does justice to the way the song builds slowly and naturally before he starts singing. Nigeria Special is a snapshot of musical obscurities from a time when young groups influenced by psychedelic rock and pop rubbed shoulders with old-style highlife bands. The CD package comes with a brilliant 16 page booklet and the set is also available on vinyl in two gatefold sleeves. Arraino!
samples:
- The Hykkers - I Want a Break Thru
- Sir Victor Uwaifo & His Melody Maestros - Osalobua Rekpama
- Godwin Ezike & the Ambassadors - Torri Wow
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