Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Nigerian Blues 1970-1976 cover

Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Nigerian Blues 1970-1976

Recorded
1970-1976
Released

This 2008 double CD gathers a wide range of Nigerian music: its subtitle is “Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Nigerian Blues 1970-6,” and it offers all that and more. Sir Victor Uwaifo’s “Osalobua Rekpama” features hot trumpet and gently floating guitar; the strikingly named Nigerian Police Force Band delivers “Asiko Mi Ni,” a strutting James Brown-esque funk workout; while Bola Johnson’s “Buroda Mase” and Leo Fadaka and the Heroes’ “Black Sound” are almost reggae. While it’s not as hard-charging as some other compilations of African funk and rock from the era, the eagerness to embrace melody and a lightness of spirit gives this album a joyousness that’s perfect for hot weather and relaxation.

Phil Freeman

Recommended by

Suggestions
4-Track Recording Session cover

4-Track Recording Session

The Green Arrows
Cult Cargo: Belize City Boil Up cover

Cult Cargo: Belize City Boil Up

Various Artists
100 Days, 100 Nights cover

100 Days, 100 Nights

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Light: On the South Side cover

Light: On the South Side

Various Artists
Eccentric Soul: Mighty Mike Lenaburg cover

Eccentric Soul: Mighty Mike Lenaburg

Various Artists
Ama Gogela cover

Ama Gogela

Phelimuncasi
African Scream Contest: Raw & Psychedelic Afro Sounds cover

African Scream Contest: Raw & Psychedelic Afro Sounds

Various Artists
Synchro System cover

Synchro System

King Sunny Adé and his African Beats
Love’s a Real Thing: The Funky Fuzzy Sounds of West Africa cover

Love’s a Real Thing: The Funky Fuzzy Sounds of West Africa

Various Artists
The  Voice of Lightness, Vol. 2 cover

The Voice of Lightness, Vol. 2

Tabu Ley Rochereau
Legends of Benin cover

Legends of Benin

Various Artists
Ghana Soundz: Afro​-​Beat, Funk & Fusion in 70’s Ghana cover

Ghana Soundz: Afro​-​Beat, Funk & Fusion in 70’s Ghana

Various Artists