[engl] The Apostles were disciples of a heavy kind of psychedelic soul/rock fusion. After The Funkees left for London, they stepped into the breach to become the champions of East Nigeria’s flourishing post-war music scene. Based in Aba, and led by guitarist and charismatic chancer Walton Arungwa, they laid down a couple of singles with the city’s newly-formed BEN label. EMI liked what they heard and in 1976 whisked the band to Lagos to record The Apostles with the legendary Emmanual Odenusi at the controls. A heavy mix of wailing guitar, swirling organ and James Brown-style vocals, it became a fixture in every east Nigerian home. ‘Never Too Late’ sets the stage with a scorching lead break that most believe was played by guitar-slinger-for-hire, Felix ‘Feladay’ Odey. Drummer Joel Madubuike and bass player Henry Tandu lay down the rock solid groove for Benji Davidson’s righteous organ lines in ‘Inflation’ and ‘Highway to Success.’ And each is invested with an urgency from battle-hardened vocals of Chyke Fussion, a vetran of the Biafra war. Don’t be fooled by the angelic white outfits worn on the cover of The Apostles. These guys were BAD. And ‘Never Too Late’ could well be the best Afro Rock song ever recorded.

[engl] Heaven sent from Nigeria?s tumultuous east, The Apostles have been preaching a particular blend of funky psychedelic soulock fusion for over forty years. On Banko Woman they threw a little Afrobeat into the mix, creating an Afro-Funk disco bomb that has been energising dance floors ever since. The title track finds the band at the height of their powers. Stung by the acclaim Felix ?Feladay? Odey got for the searing guitar lead on ?Never Too Late?, Walton Arungwa is a man possessed, trading licks with keyboardist Benjamin Nnamdi Davidson and sounding all the world like a Nigerian Carlos Santana. The players in the rhythm section, Henry Asu Tandu, Chicago Nwoha and Harrison Mba, are tight and relentless, keeping their heads so everyone else can lose theirs. Of course, you don?t stay successful as long as The Apostles without giving the audience what they want. On Banko Woman, that?s a country song for mum and dad (?Mr Too Know?) and a couple of earnest, plaintive tracks for emotional challenged chaps to dedicate to their girlfriends (?Yours Sincerely? and ?Friend Today, Enemy Tomorrow?). You also finish on a high. ?Disciple Funk?, is almost a religious experience, an 8-minute long instrumental wig that will have you flipping the record back to side one and starting all over again. - Peter Moore, www.africanrevolutions.com