Nov 17/07
Before they juju’d
I revived Benn loxo with some Nigerian 70s rock courtesy of Soundway yesterday, so we’ll continue along a similar path with another in my long series of Original Music posts.
Today’s tracks come off one of my favourite Original Music releases that I’ve heard to date, Azagas & Archibogs – The Sixties Sound Of Lagos. The compilation features a collection of Nigerian Igbo, Yoruba and other highlife groups from Lagos. The songs have been (slightly) remastered from 45rpm records released during the early to mid-1960s.
It’s interesting to hear some good Yoruba highlife from this period, before Juju and Afrobeat took over. Most of the Nigerian highlife I know is from the Igbo east of the country, a region that for me, maybe aside from Ghana, produced Africa’s best music during the 1960s. However, it’s clear after listening to this compilation that Lagos’ Yoruban groups definitely had a good thing going as well.
Charles Iwegbue & His Archibogs – Okibo
Eric Akaeze & His Azagas – Adunni
Good Stuff!!
AfricaR
Thanks Matt – two excellent posts in a row. I was womdering if you were planning a future post of something from the Original Music album “Akwaaba” by Francis Bebey?
The album is aquiring an somewhat legendary cool status and would sell well if re-released I’d wager. I’ve only ever heard the song “Ngoma Likembe” from it but it rocks like a mother.