Search - Various Artists :: Afro Baby: Evolution of the Afro Sound

Various Artists
Afro Baby: Evolution of the Afro Sound
Genres: Dance & Electronic, International Music, Pop

Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
1. The Sahara All Stars ? Alikali Adajo
2. Bola Johnson ? Lagos Sisi
3. The Mebusas ? Son of Mr. Bulldog
4. Fela Kuti & The Africa ?70 ? Fogo Fogo
5. The Don Issac Ezekiel Combination ? Ire
6. Tunji Oyelana and the Benders ? Ipasan
7. Fred Fisher ? Asa-Sa
8. Thony Shorby Nwenyi ? No Wrong Show
9. Bob Ohiri and his Uhuru Sounds ? Ariwo Yaa
10. Victor Olaiya and his International Allstars ? Omelebele
11. Stephen Osita Amaechi & his Afro-Rhythm Skies ? Afro Baby
12. The Martins Brothers Dance Band ? Ochonma

CD Details

All Artists: Various Artists
Title: Afro Baby: Evolution of the Afro Sound
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Soundway
Release Date: 11/2/2004
Genres: Dance & Electronic, International Music, Pop
Styles: Africa, Dance Pop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 827565005321

Synopsis

Album Description

Nigeria in the 1970?s had one the biggest recording industries on the continent as well as one of the most diverse. The fusion of African rhythms and culture with jazz, funk, soul, and rock was an Africa-wide phenomenon but nowhere was it more prolific and active than the cities and dance floors of Nigeria. These twelve rarities highlight how the Afro sound influenced all areas of the music scene and how it progressed throughout a very creative and energetic decade. From funky afro-jazz, soul and afro-highlife to big, dance floor afro-beat - Nigeria?s sounds were as diverse as they were uplifting. All of the tracks featured within this album are very rare; none have ever been released outside of Nigeria ? and many of them were small underground releases appearing only on long deleted albums or 45?s. All have been lovingly tracked down, licensed and re-mastered. Enjoy!

CD Reviews

Simply great

Kay Cee | Somerville, Massachusetts United States | 03/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the best afro funk compilations to come out since Nigeria 70. The godfather of afrobeat Fela Kuti represents with one of his early more obscure tracks Fogofogo (ghanaian sland for "bottle breakers"). It's kind of coincidental fogo fogo is the track featured. I have a very rare copy of the track on tape including incredibly hard to find Fela tracks like the original "Chop and Quench", "Going in and Out", "I go shout plenty", "I no get eye for back" and "Beautiful dancer".

Nigerian highlife legend Victor Olaiya also represents with "Omelebele". Orlando Julius drops in with "Mura Sise". However the best tracks on the CD come from the more obscure groups. Afrobeat devotees are probably already familiar with the Sahara All Star Band from the Nigeria 70 compilation. Their track "Alikali Aladjo" is the album opener. I absolutely love Bola Johnson's "Lagos Sisi", a tale of a country girl gone bad in the big city.

The very best track is "Ire" by the Don Issac Ezeikel combination. You never heard a song of worship this funky. "Afro baby" by Stephen Osita Amaechi is one of those songs you should really listen to via ear phones to fully appreciate the drum work in the background. "Ifa" by Tunji Oyelena was one of my personal favorites on Nigeria 70 and he does not disappoint with "Ipasan", a funkified musical version of a yoruba folktale. "Ochonma" by The Martins Brothers Band has a groove to die for and is my second favorite song on the cd. It's even better if you can understand Ibo as the brothers sing in turn moaning over the hell their relationship has become with the beautiful "Ochonma".

Fred Fisher, Thornby Nyenwi and The Mebusas round up the album. It has been absolute trip listening to music that was popular in my country around the time I was born. I hope to do my bit to salvage the music when I go back. For now I have to rely on Soundway records and I hope that Miles Cleret keeps up the good work."