One of the most popular Nigerian highlife groups during the 1970s and 80s was the Oriental Brothers International Band. Hailing from from eastern Nigeria (or Igboland according to some) the Oriental Brothers was actually three different groups over a period of about 20 years. The original group was probably the most famous and, if you ask me, the best.

The name of today’s track, “Awka Uwa”, is Igbo for “lamenting life” (thanks, Dulue). This doesn’t make sense to me since the guys sound pretty happy in the song, though I guess life wasn’t so hot for an Igbo in post-Biafra Nigeria. Either way, it’s a great tune from the original Oriental Brothers. Don’t worry – no cut-offs or fade-outs this time.

If you like the track you can get it on several best-ofs or on the album Nwa Ada Di Nma.

ps- Special thanks to Bill for e-mailing me a great Congolese track today. I’m always up for direct trades so feel free to send me an e-mail or comment.

Oriental Brothers – Akwa Uwa

Is there room enough in Nigeria for two Chief Commanders? Obasanjo has Oshiomole just as King Sunny Ade has his main rival, Ebenezer Obey, the other Chief Commander. The latter two are friendly rivals, though, and don’t go around hitting each other’s supporters with whips and rubber clubs. Apparently it’s cool to have several Chiefs on the Nigerian highlife music scene.

Obey was born in western Nigeria but grew-up in Lagos during the 50s like Sunny Ade. He, too, has that Ghanaian/Nigerian highlife sound from the 60s they call juju filled with drumming, guitars and singing. He also has a habit of releasing a record every 5 to 10 minutes. Obey describes his juju music as follows:

“It’s like cooking a soup. If you put in many different ingredients, it tastes richer and better” (ref)

This Chief also likes to release 20 minute tracks so I’ve snipped 5 minutes out of a track called “Aya Foba Mimo” from his album Evergreen Songs 9 for you to enjoy.

Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey – Aya Foba Mimo

Classic 60s Nigerian highlife won’t die. Neither will “The Consistent Highlife King”, Commander in Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe. He’s released over 60 LPs and 45s since the late 50s and he’s still cranking them out. As far as I know Osadebe is the only Nigerian artist to go platinum when he released “Osondi Owendi” in ‘75. Considering he hails from the bootleg capital of the world this is a mighty impressive stat.

He sings about how Lagos Life Na So So Enjoyment (and yet how he loves it) and has a great, great name. He calls himself the Commander in Chief among other things and the people believe him. Based on this I love the guy already but he also makes some really nice sounds.

You can catch The Doctor of Hypertension live in Lagos if you make it over the mainland bridge in one piece. For those not up for the drive I’ve trimmed a sample out of his song “Echiebuka” that you can find on his Greatest Hits Vol. 3.

Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe – Echiebuka

King Sunny Ade, aka “The Minister of Enjoyment”, is pure Nigeria. Born in ‘46, peaked sometime around ‘79, still kicking. He plays something called “juju” or “ashiko” which is a popular Nigerian dance music still big with the kids there. Fast beats, tight guitar and epic songs sometimes spanning hours live.

I was lucky enough to catch this guy at an outdoor concert in Abuja during the All African Games last year. He showed up on stage many hours late surrounded by the requisite harem of 20-30 women and rocked the crowd until near-dawn. Nothing like Guiness, Sunny and a sweaty Nigerian night to get you feeling good.

Probably his most well-known song, Ma Jaiye Oni, is a great tune that doesn’t span 30 minutes and thus works well for a sample. You can find it on his great album Juju Music.

King Sunny Ade – Ma Jaiye Oni

One of my favourite compilations and the best starter I’ve found for Nigerian afrobeat and funk is a 3-disc set called Nigeria 70. The third disc is a good audio documentary and the first two are packed with Lagos classics. Fela Kuti, Bongos Ikwue, Tony Allen and much more. A must have, worth it even for the cover – respect the boots.

The Bongos Ikwue’s “Woman Made The Devil” is a classic on all fronts. I can’t describe its graceful Fela mysogeny in words so listen for yourself. Ofo & The Black Company’s “Allah Wakbarr” is what I’d like the guy at the mosque near my house to sound like on Friday afternoons.

Bongos Ikwue – Woman Made The Devil
Ofo & The Black Company – Allah Wakbarr

I love Nigerian music. I occasionally love Nigeria. Lagos may be one of the shittiest (read: interesting) places I’ve ever visited, but it must have been a great place to dance in 1970. In honour of my favourite/least favourite neighbour nation I’m devoting the inaugural week of my audioblog to Nigerian music from the 60s, 70s and 80s. By far the best sounds to come of West Africa since the studios started recording here.

In the few times I’ve been over there I grabbed a bunch of bootlegs out of the $1 bins at the markets in Lagos and Abuja. Everyone thinks of Fela Kuti and afrobeat when they think of Nigerian music from the 70s, but the stuff that really rocks me these days is the imitation pop. Seems there was a whole generation of Nigerian musicians dead-set on becoming Monkees sound-alikes.

I was looking for some albums by a personal favourite called the Bongos Ikwue when I came across a burned copy of “Flashback – A Decade of Hits 1970-80 Nigeria”. I have no idea if this is some Nigerian 419-er compilation or an album you could get elsewhere, but it’s fantastic – especially if you’re into that Nigerian imitation American pop sound.

Strangers – Nobody Called Me
Semi Colon – Slim Fit Maggie