Labels
PMG
- 01. Sensation
02. Tropical Moonlight
03. Ijere
04. Cupid
05. Litany Of Freedom
06. Happy NigeriaADOLF AHANOTU
Sensation
[engl] At a time when bandleaders in Nigeria used titles as an affectation, Dr. Adolf Ahanotu was the real deal. He had a PhD in music compilation and Master’s degrees in education and communication. He also played a mean tenor sax, an instrument he mastered touring Owerri with the Mirabels. Ahanotu’s scholarly background is apparent in the impeccable arrangements and the way each track is labelled with its musical type. The banging opening track, ‘Sensation’ is disco, notes the helpful doctor. The legendary ‘Ijere’ is to be considered Remire or Afro Jazz. ‘Litany of Freedom’ is reggae, ‘Cupid’ is rock and ‘Tropical Moonlight’ classified as the blues. The mandatory ode to the nation, ‘Happy Nigeria’, is labelled as calypso. But these are not dry, scholarly pieces. ‘Sensation’ reeks of dance floor freakiness not the hallowed halls of academia. And listen to the pitch bend craziness on ‘Injere’. Sure, Dr. Ahanotu had studied the rules. But he wasn’t afraid to break them. From the freaked-out opening seconds of the title track you are left in no doubt: The doctor is in the house. Mastered and produced by Goddy Oku. - Peter Moore- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 11.05.2017
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190909
- Format
- CD
- Release-Datum
- 11.05.2017
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190916
- 01. Awedny
02. Njoom Al Leyel
03. Nisyan
04. La Ya-Hob
05. Yumma
06. Shams
07. Ya Blady
08. Sinini
09. Summar Al Layali
10. Falah
11. Al Hob
12. Ya HussadAHMED FAKROUN
Ahmed Fakroun
[engl] Insanely popular across the Maghreb, name-checked in international spy novels and beloved of music adventurers like David Byrne, Libyan superstar Ahmed Fakroun is the most astounding raï-disco-electronica pioneer you never heard of. His 1983 album, Mots D'Amour, recently reissued by PMG, is regarded as a global fusion classic. This self-titled anthology of songs from the late 70’s is an altogether mellower affair. The grooves are slower and sweeter, and Fakroun’s multi-instrumentalist chops on the saz, mandol and darbouka drum really come to the fore. The album includes tracks from two of Ahmed’s rarest and most sought-after 7”s. ‘Nysan’ has an almost West Coast vibe: think Ned Doheny via Benghazi. Balearic-minded collectors will love the haunting flute runs in ‘Awedny’, produced by Tommy Vance, and ‘Njoom Al Leyel’. There’s even a touch of lilting reggae on ‘Falah’ and ‘Yu Hussad.’ Ahmend Fakroun is the perfect late night, come-down album. Especially after a hot and sweaty evening in a raï club, somewhere in North Africa.- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 05.08.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190565
- Format
- CD
- Release-Datum
- 05.08.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190572
- 01. Jama Al' F'Na
02. Kalimat Hob
03. Gelty
04. Fil Moden Al Kabira
05. Love Words
06. Soleil Soleil
07. Ya Leyel Leyel
08. OyunicAHMED FAKROUN
Mots D'Amour
Die arabische Welt bescherte uns in den siebziger und achtziger Jahren einige äußerst interessante Rock – und Pop-Acts. Ahmed Fakroun aus Libyen ist einer der bekanntesten. Sein Album von 1983, dessen Titel auf Englisch ‘’Love Words’’ bedeutet erzielt unter Sammlern Preise bis zu 500 Euro für ein Exemplar in gutem Zustand. Cooler Ethno-Pop mit orientalischen Einflüssen, der Dank der nun vorliegenden Re-Issue von Fans zu einem erschwinglichen Preis erstanden werden kann. “Mots d'Amour” kann es problemlos mit vielen europäischen Releases aus der gleichen Zeit aufnehmen.- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 08.04.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190046
- 01. Unity
02. His Highness Erediauwa 1 Oba Of Benin (Part 1)
03. His Highness Erediauwa 1 Oba Of Benin (Part 2)
04. GratitudeAIGBE LEBARTY
Unity
[engl] In 1979, long-time Highlife veteran Aigbe Lebarty decided to try his hand at high-energy disco funk. Checking the Lebartone Aces at the door, he borrowed the Sex Bombers from Prince Omo Lawal-Osula and created Unity, a sure-fire dance floor stomper that channels ‘Ring My Bell’ into a clarion cry for, well, unity ... and a good time. The title track is the undisputed highlight of the album. It rattles along in a wonky, skittish fashion, with the high-pitched toms dueling with the Sex Bombers in a musical game of Space Invaders. ‘His Highness Erediauwa 1 Oba Of Benin (Part 1 &2)’, sees Aigbe slips back into Highlife like a comfortable pair of slippers. The tracks were a gift to Erediauwa, who had just been crowned the 38th ruler of the Edo people in Benin City. Like eastern Nigeria, Benin City had remained a haven for highlife, so no surprises there. Spookily, the re-issue of this album by PMG coincides with the passing of his Highness Erediauwa 1 and the coronation of his successor. There is no word whether a follow-up is in the works.- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 01.11.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190503
- Format
- CD
- Release-Datum
- 01.11.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190510
- 01. Celebration
02. Let's Be Free
03. Miss Selfishness
04. Groove The Funk
05. Centepede
06. Love
07. We're LaughingAKTION
Celebration
[engl] Mix righteous fuzz guitar, bad-ass keyboards and ecstatic African rhythms and what have you got? Celebration by Aktion - a slab of of heavy Afro-funk-pysch-rock from the hardest working band in 70s Nigeria. Aktion had a residency at the Lido Night Club and Restaurant in Warri but toured constantly. Drummer Ben Alaka and Bass player Renny Pearl Nwosa created a bedrock of hardcore rhythm that allowed the rest of the band to cut loose and follow their own groove. Celebration, their second album, sees Aktion at the height of their powers. Ben Alaka had claimed his crown as the best drummer in the country (Proof: the intro to ?Centepede?), keyboardist Zeaky George has got his freak on (have a listen to ?We?re Laughing?) and Jimi Lee?s searing guitar breaks were leaving scorch marks across every track (?Celebration?, ?Groove The Funk?, take your pick.) Sadly, Celebration was also their last album. Renny and Lemmy left to form The Stormmers. Jimmi Lee hooked up with Mona Finnih and discovered disco. But Celebration remains a psych rock monster - and a funky, fuzz-filled tribute to Nigeria?s rocking east. - Peter Moore, www.africanrevolutions.com- Format
- CD
- Release-Datum
- 22.01.2018
- EAN
- EAN 0710473191159
- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 22.01.2018
- EAN
- EAN 0710473191142
- 01. Groove The Funk
02. Sugar Daddy
03. I Don't Have To Cry
04. My Baby
05. I've Got To Hope For Tomorrow
06. Masqurade
07. I'm In Love
08. Tell Me Baby
09. Play With MeAKTION
Groove The Funk
[engl] Groove the Funk is a essential and influencal early Afro-Funk LPs from 1975. The album was released in Nigeria and the whole LP is really something excitingly special, carrying a unique style of fuzz guitar and keyboard with ecstasy rhythms that can be experienced only from the heart of Africa. Nigeria had a rich musical history with a variety of bands that were playing their unique Afro-Funk with incredible rhythms. In Aktion's case thanks to one of the best drummers of that time, Ben Alaka. Sadly most of the scene vanished like in Zambia and their Zam Rock scene, but thanks to collectors worldwide a part of Nigerian music heritage remained with us to be enjoyed. One of the most explosive bands were Aktion (also known as The Action 13 or The Actions). They were from Warri, which is a city in south Nigeria and their debut album was released by Clover Recording Organization from city of Aba. Clover Records founder Ben Okonkwo was a very influential man for the Nigerian music scene. His label released a lot of music including (Super)Wings, Akwassa, The Visitors, Mary Afi Usuah, Folk 77, The Doves, The Apostles, Mansion as well as some fine compilations of Clover artists. Aktion were among the most exciting bands coming from the scene. Renny Pearl Nwosa was the group's leader together with Lemmy Faith Nwani, who was a well respected drummer playing even for the best known Nigerian Funk band The Funkees (soon out on PMG). Renny and Lemmy together also formed the band The Stormmers, who recorded 2 incredible albums (also out soon on PMG). Aktion were playing all across their part of the country. Nigeria had a very well known club called Lido Night Club and Restaurant and AKTION were staying there for awhile. They played many college campuses all around Nigeria and also many villages to entertain Eastside students. Aktion later on recorded and successfully released another album Celebration in 1977 (out soon on PMG as well) and then some members moved on to join The Stormmers and One World. Groove the Funk is a very exciting intervention in one of the most exploding scenes coming from Africa. It's afrobeat in its best form mixed with amazing funky-psych grooves. Lot's of fuzz guitar and bad-ass keyboard playing. Certainly a great look into Nigerian scene.- Format
- CD
- Release-Datum
- 25.07.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190220
- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 25.07.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190176
- 01. Funky Girl
02. Be Yourself (And Don't Let Nobody Be You)
03. Feel Alone
04. Orule
05. La'Ila (Poor Man's Cry)
06. Tell Me
07. I Don't Want No-Body (To Tell Me What To Do)AKWASSA
La'ila
[engl] Akwassa were among the best Afro-Beat bands coming from Nigeria. They released La'ila in 1975 and were one of the early Nigerian Funk bands to get an album out. They were related to the Heads Funk Band and most members were part of both bands. They managed to release two albums as Akwassa. Their debut La'ila came out on a well known Afro-Beat label Afrodisia Records. Akwassa were originally a duo made of Felix Day (guitar and vocals) and Kevin Coburn (organ, synthesizer and vocals). Felix Day is actually Feladey, the guitarist in Aktion (another top notch Nigerian band reissued by PMG). On La'ila the band used a lot of synthesizers and the overall sound is very pleasing. Overall the album has a raw and unpolished sound, but that's what brings that certain spark for being among the very best in the Afro-Beat genre.- Format
- CD
- Release-Datum
- 25.07.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190275
- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 25.07.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190251
- 01. N'Gwode
02. Keep New York Clean
03. Mothers Day
04. Home Sweet HomeALEKE KANONU
Aleke
[engl] After spending much of the ‘70s humping his congos around New York as a session musician, Nigerian Aleke Kanonu pulled in some favours to record an album of his own. The result was Aleke, a criminally obscure Afrobeat/Funk/Jazz masterpiece featuring Buddy Williams on drums, George Davis on guitar and a cameo from Wynton Marsalis on flugelhorn. There are only four tracks on the album but they are all killers. N’Gwode sounds like Fela Kuti and Manu Dibangu hanging out with Bobby Womack, probably somewhere across 110th Street. ‘Keep New York Clean’ struts like Shaft after a successful bust. And ‘Mothers Day’ keeps things sweet and soulful, before Wynton Marsalis brings back the groove with his flugelhorn on ‘Home Sweet Home’. Until recently you would have had to take out a second mortgage to get hold of Akele. And sold a kidney for the Happiness/Nwanne, Nwanne, Nwanne 12’’ Kanonu released a year later. Thankfully PMG has re-issued the LP and the EP, with the CD version containing both.- Format
- CD
- Release-Datum
- 25.07.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190381
- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 25.07.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190398
- 01. Happiness
02. Nwanne, Nwanne, NwanneALEKE KANONU meets TOLBERT, THE MIRACLE MAN
Happiness / Nwanne, Nwanne, Nwanne
[engl] Bringing together the undisputed talents of Nigerian percussionist Aleke Kanonu and soul legend from Alabama, O.C. Tolbert, this 12” created quite the buzz when it was released in New York in 1982. Shops and leading DJs were clamouring for it, but short supply saw it disappear into obscurity. The A-side, ‘Happiness’ is an uptown style Gospel ballad where Tolbert’s gravelly, soulful voice channels years of hurt an pain. The B-side, ‘Nwanne, Nwanne, Nwanne’, is an Afrobeat disco monster that rattles along on the back of Kananu’s awesome percussion skills. Both tracks were written and produced by Jack Taylor, a producer, songwriter and purported gangster from Harlem and released on his own label. This reissue comes courtesy of the good folk of PMG, purportedly cool guys, based in Austria.- Format
- 12''
- Release-Datum
- 01.11.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190541
- 01. Children
02. Fire And Rain
03. Ereyon
04. Slow Down
05. For You
06. Politican
07. Listen
08. Spending My LifeAMAS
Grill
[engl] Grill by Gbubemi Amas is as smooth as the red cardigan artfully slung around his shoulders on the cover. Whether he is running through the scales on a cover version of ‘Fire and Rain’, or trying on his calypso highlife moves on ‘Ereyon’, you know Amas is a man with a smooth line for every occasion. He is also a man with impeccable enunciation. Listen to ‘Slow Down’. It features one of the most cultured sound checks you will ever hear in your life – “Willy, keep the bass a little bit tighter”. That Amas is now a theatre producer and writer in Cardiff in Wales will come as no surprise. ‘Slow Down’ is a stone cold class, and an undoubted highlight, just as it was on the excellent Comb & Razor compilation, Brand New Wayo. ‘Children’ is a bright dancefloor filler. So is ‘For You’. And ‘Listen’ showcases Amas’s disco ball cassanova moves. Articulate, cultured and classy, Grill is proof that in 80s Nigeria was producing a class of boogie funk that was as sophisticated as anywhere in the world.- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 15.12.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190602
- Format
- CD
- Release-Datum
- 15.12.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190619
- 01. Never Too Late
02. Play Girl
03. Inflation
04. Trust In God
05. Highway To Success
06. Mr Guest Of Honour
07. Don't Worry
08. Good EncouragementAPOSTLES
Apostles
[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.- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 01.11.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473191333
- Format
- CD
- Release-Datum
- 01.11.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473191340
- 01. Banko Woman
02. Friend Today Enemy Tomorrow
03. Mr Too Know
04. Faith, Luck & Music
05. Yours Sincerely
06. Disciple FunkAPOSTLES
Banko Woman
[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- Format
- CD
- Release-Datum
- 06.11.2017
- EAN
- EAN 0710473191753
- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 20.10.2017
- EAN
- EAN 0710473191715
- 01. Gimme Some Lovin'
02. Get Up And Dance Salsa
03. Jeannie My Love
04. This World Is For No One
05. Rock And Roll Birthday
06. We Need FreedomBAAD JOHN CROSS
New Revolution - Chapter One
[engl] Baad John Cross?s New Revolution is a Afro-electro-funk-boogie-disco banger that could only come from 1980s Nigeria. Bright, optimistic, with an unrelenting eye on the dance floor, it is regarded by many as a prototype of the electro rhythms that would become the signature sound of Nigerian boogie. A Cameroonian by birth, Cross arrived in Lagos a cheeky smile, a pair of white dungarees and a bag full of songs. After proving his chops with uncredited session work, he signed with the legendary Coconut label, hooked up with producer Modjo Isidore and created a stone cold boogie classic in New Revolution. ?Gimme Some Lovin? and ?Get Up And Dance Salsa? (briefly a dance craze in Lagos, apparently) are dance floor classics, ?Jeanie My Love? the obligatory love ballad and ?We Need Freedom? a Marleyesque call for peace across the continent. The real surprise is ?Rock n Roll Birthday?, a rockabilly number straight out of 80?s London. (The cover photo has a similar vibe.) Sadly, New Revolution was to be Baad John Cross?s only album. He was soon back in Cameroon, eking out a career as a session musician, but not before creating one of the freshest Nigerian boogie albums ever made. - Peter Moore, www.africanrevolutions.com- Format
- CD
- Release-Datum
- 22.01.2018
- EAN
- EAN 0710473191104
- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 22.01.2018
- EAN
- EAN 0710473191111
- 01. Ikon Allah
02. Yo Gboko
03. Igwhe
04. All Work No Play
05. Opportunity Knocks
06. Stretch Your NoseBALA MILLER AND THE GREAT MUSIC PIRAMEEDS OF AFRICA
Pyramids
[engl] Bala Miller was famous for pushing boundaries. His first job was selling beer in the Muslim north. And as a musician he'd always try to sneak in 'local' flourishes while playing trumpet with Bobby Benson and Victor Olaiya. It was with his band, the Pirameeds, however, that he was able to realise his dream of incorporating northern tunes into mainstream highlife. Honed razor sharp from a residency at the Costain Club in Kuduna, the band recorded Pyramids, a breathtaking fusion of Hausa rhythms, jazz and funk. With its haunting trumpet line, tribal drums and imploring Hausa chants, 'Ikon Allah', the power of God, is Bala Miller vision writ large. 'Yo Gboko' is a New York-style street drama, played out on the dusty streets of Northern Nigeria. 'Opportunity Knocks' is a playful burst of ska and 'Stretch Your Nose' is a raucous James Brown fable about the dangers of lying. Bala Miller went on to become one of Nigeria's best-loved personalities. The Costain Club became a renowned meeting place for northern musicians. But his greatest legacy remain Pyramids, an opus that introduced Hausa rhythms and stories to the rest of Nigeria.- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 15.12.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473191456
- Format
- CD
- Release-Datum
- 15.12.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473191463
- 01. Alpha And Omega
02. Soul Fever
03. Unqualified
04. Guns For Freedom
05. Love And Peace
06. Get Up And DanceBENIS CLETIN
Alpha & Omega
[engl] In the mid eighties FM radio stations took over the airwaves in Nigeria. They wanted fresh new styles to play andin creasingly radio personalities like Bisi Olatilo, Ruime Effetie and Shea Martins were turning to reggae. Nigeria’s Freak Father Number One, Benis Cletin, saw the writing on the wall and created his deeply philosophical roots reggae opus, ‘Alpha & Omega’. Benis delivered a set of songs that tapped unashamedly into reggae’s message of peace and love. The title track is a philosophical opus on the state of the world and how to live in it. ‘Unqualified’ warns against letting others tell you how to live. ‘Guns for Freedom’ is more militant call to arms, undercut by a lilting flute line from the legendary Eji Oyewole. Benis didn’t completely abandon his freaky, funky roots. ‘Soul Fever’ is a slab of synth-driven boogie and ‘Get Up And Dance’ is pure funk with that typical Benis freak edge. But overall, ‘Alhpa and Omega’ is designed to soothe the minds of the oppressed in this unjust world - an African roots reggae classic that sounded great on FM radio.- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 06.09.2018
- EAN
- EAN 0710473191234
- Format
- CD
- Release-Datum
- 06.09.2018
- EAN
- EAN 0710473191227
- 01. Ganja (Ganja)
02. 5th Bethoven Africana
03. Boogie Fever
04. Dance For Love
05. African Hustle
06. Shake Shake ShakeBENIS CLETIN
Jungle Magic
[engl] Considered an acid boogie classic, Jungle Magic is a cosmic transmission from the early days of Nigerian disco. The bass lines are lethal. The synths are fat and squelchy. And the groove is non-stop and primal. Channeling the jungle gods of funk and introducing them to Donna Summers, the title track, ‘Jungle Magic’, takes you to a freaky place you didn’t know existed but never want to leave. ‘Love Forever’ brings a Calypso party vibe while ‘Fireman’ suggests Prince may have been listening to Benis when he wrote ‘Alphabet Street’. The album was composed and produced by Benis Cletin. He also played guitar and synthesizer and sang lead vocals. George Achini from the Mighty Flames stars on bass and Mambo Sticks, Nigeria’s leading disco drummer, lays down the rock solid grooves. Benis went on to release three more albums, which will be re-issued by PMG soon. Jungle Magic remains the album where he introduced his irresistible brand of psychedelic disco funk to world.- Format
- CD
- Release-Datum
- 25.07.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190329
- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 25.07.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190336
- 01. It's Time For Nation Building
02. National Pledge
03. 1979
04. Calling Health Men/ Police
05. Tears In The Ghetto
06. Dedicated To YouBERKELY IKE JONES
Nation Building
[engl] Nation Building is a real forgotten gem from the late '70s and is among the very best Afro-Beat Disco Lps ever. Berkely Ike Jones is one of the icons of the Nigerian scene being the guitarist and founder of BLO (forthcoming on PMG). BLO were one of the very best progressive bands from Nigeria and managed to release several albums for EMI (Nigeria) and Afrodisia Records. BLO are definitely a ground-breaking band, that managed to further establish the entire Afro-Funk genre. At the time Ginger Baker of Cream went to travel to Nigeria and invited Berkely Ike Jones to be part of session-band Salt. They went back to UK and toured in Europe. Berkely Ike Jones played with many bands like with Ofege on their Try and Love album and he also appeared on many other great albums by artists like Steve Black, Lijadu Sisters, Tee Mac, Kris Okotie, Sonny Okosuns Ozziddi, 'Blackman' Akeeb Kareem, Mixed Grill, Don Bruce And The Angels and Felix Lebarty. Nation Building is his solo project recorded in the late 1970s on Skylark Records. The original LP is extremely rare and very expensive, so this is your chance to grab your copy and listen to some really great Afro-Beat music.- Format
- CD
- Release-Datum
- 25.07.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190244
- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 25.07.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190206
- 01. Living With Friends
02. Te Revior
03. Rain
04. She's Got All I Want
05. Free Love
06. RevolutionBETA YAMA GROUP, THE
Free Love
[engl] It’s hard to get a handle on Nigerian musicians Nash Dodoo, Charlie Cuul and Jonas Caulley. In 1980 they released an album of face-melting gospel boogie as the BML chapels. And in the same year, calling themselves the Beta Yama Group, they put out Free Love, a belated love letter to San Francisco’s Summer of Love and an album altogether focused on more worldly concerns. Free Love is a small slice of Haight-Ashbury transported to the Polygram Studios in Lagos. ‘Te Revoir’ is Mamas and Papas jamming with Sergeant Pepper’s Beatles. ‘Free Love’ offers a respectful nod towards Je T’aime-era Serge Gainsbourg. Sure, ‘Revolution’ gets hard and funky and ‘Rain’ flirts briefly with a calypso reggae sound, but the majority of the album is cheesecloth and flowers in your hair. Insanely rare – and worth buying for the freaky cover art alone – Free Love is a funky, reverb heavy call for love, peace and sweet, sweet loving. What more could you want from an album?- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 02.03.2017
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190664
- Format
- CD
- Release-Datum
- 02.03.2017
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190671
- 01. Boogie Saturday
02. In Search Of Yesterday
03. The Eye That Can't See
04. Working Together
05. InstrumentalBLACK CHILDREN SLEDGE FUNK GROUP
Vol. 3: Aviation Grand Father
[engl] In the mid-seventies Nigeria, everybody loved the Black Children Sledge Funk Co. Band. Blasting out of the bustling river port of Onitsha, their infectious, feel-good grooves were the perfect antidote to the dark economic clouds gathering over the country. Nigerians, young and old, lapped it up. Every member of the band had played with The Strangers. Michael Hammedatha Moore, sang and wrote the songs. Daniel Carlos Yakubu played guitar. Jerry Freeman Nwokolo was on keyboards. And Benson Teteh played the drums. As a gimmick, everyone in the band changed their last name to Black. They didn’t need to. Their music – a sunny African blend of jazz, R’n’B, rock and funk – was extraordinary enough. ‘Boogie Saturday’ is a Kool & The Gang-style celebration, guaranteed to get even the most reluctant dancer up on the floor. ‘In Search Of Yesterday’, ‘The Eye That Can’t See’ and ‘Working Together’ bring the meaning to the groove, before an instrumental provides a suitably sweaty finale. Ask any Nigerian and they’ll tell you: Vol. 3 Aviation Grand Father is a party on a platter. Put it on and get yours started.- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 15.12.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473191395
- Format
- CD
- Release-Datum
- 15.12.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473191401
- 01. Back In Time
02. Dance In A CircleBLO
Back in Time
[engl] The cover tells you everything you need to know about this stomping double-sider. It’s as white as Travolta’s Saturday Night Fever suit with the band’s name emblazoned in gold across the front. We’re talking early 80’s sophistication here, with a killer groove designed to let you show off all your moves and still look as classy as hell. By the late 70s and early 80s, disco was king in Nigeria and BLO were under pressure to follow the trend. Typically, they did it their own way, with slinky bass lines, Nile Rodgers guitar licks and a beat guaranteed to make you move. The Afrobeat and psyche rock stylings were gone, but the tightness and funkiness that comes from laying down rock hard grooves for over a decade remains. Long out of circulation, with copies going for silly money on Discogs, this killer 12” is back through PMG. You know what to do. Whack it on your turntable, ‘Go Back In Time’ and ‘Dance In A Circle’.- Format
- 12''
- Release-Datum
- 01.11.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190558
- 01. Trace Of Suicide
02. Scandi Boogie
03. You're So Kind
04. Music Makes You Happy
05. Number One
06. Save Me
07. Move Up
08. I Miss Your Lovin'BLO
Phase IV
[engl] Phase IV is BLO at the height of their not inconsiderable powers. Buzzing after a hugely successful tour of Denmark and Norway, the Afro Funk trio returned to London in 1975 and headed straight into the Orange Studios to get the magic down on tape. BLO had been fixtures on the Nigerian scene since they started out as Clusters International in 1970. The original ‘O’ in the band, bassist Mike Odumosu, had left to join Osibisa by Phase IV, (although he appears on the cover and gets a vocal credit) and was replaced by velvet-voiced keyboardist, Otu Udofa. Berkley Jones’s guitar work is still immense – have a listen to ‘Scandi Boogie’ and ‘Music Make You Happy’. And the sweet breakdowns by drummer Laolu Akins on ‘Number One’ made it an instant B-Boy Breakdance classic. Rightly regarded as the holy grail of Afro Boogie, Phase IV is an extraordinary blend of highlife, rock, blues and soul that sounds just as good through headphones as it does on the dancefloor. Turn it up loud. - Peter Moore, www.africanrevolutions.com / "These guys were known as CLUSTERS INTERNATIONAL when I was their lead singer in Lagos in 1970. We then moved with TEE MAC and started THE AFRO COLLECTION under a new management. They later changed the music scene in Nigeria when they started a very funky three piece band known as B L O. They were very tight and played Nigerian funk which is a blend of highlife, rock with a trace of blues. It wasn't a surprise when they quickly conquered Lagos and other parts of Nigeria with their unique style of music and performance and moved to London where Phase 4 was recorded. Before this they had several hits in Nigeria. After a very successful tour of six cities in Denmark and four cities in Norway, they returned to London and straight into Orange Studios where Phase 4 was recorded. This vinyl in your hand is that very Phase 4 album. It is the accumulation of many years of experience with their unique style of music. It is dancable, you can also sit down and listen to it, you can party with it too. Which ever way, B L O Phase 4 is sure to blow your mind.- Format
- CD
- Release-Datum
- 25.07.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190343
- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 25.07.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190350
- 01. Boju Boju
02. Scott Angel
03. Where Is The Answer
04. Light My Fire
05. Make It True Love
06. No Place To HideBURNIS
Light My Fire
[engl] Search the name ?Burnis Moleme' and the returns are sparse. You?ll discover that his track ?Where Is The Answer? appeared on Soundway?s excellent Nigerian disco compilation, Doin? It In Lagos. And there are a few entries about this PMG re-issue of Light My Fire. But other than that, he seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth. He?s not even a minister of religion, the career path most Nigerian stars from the 80s chose to follow. Thankfully, we still have Light My Fire. Produced by former Funkee Jake Sollo and backed by a hot team of session musos including Friday Pozo, Nkono Teles and Joseph ?Jojo? Kuo, Burnis delivered a slab of slick Afro Disco Boogie for the ages. ?Boju Boju? and ?Where Is The Answer? would start a party on any dance floor, while the title track would keep you on it until dawn. Burnis had a sensitive side too, showcased on tracks like ?Scott Angel? and ?No Place To Hide?. I suspect Burnis Moleme was simply a casualty of the Nigerian label wars between EMI, Phondisk and Tabansi in the early 80?s. Tabansi hoped that Burnis might be the next Kris Okotie, but Felix Liberty took that mantle instead. But that does take away from what ?Light My Fire? is ? a beautifully produced slice of Nigerian disco boogie by a guy who could write catchy songs, sing like a sex god and look good in a shiny purple suit. - Peter Moore, www.africanrevolutions.com- Format
- CD
- Release-Datum
- 06.11.2017
- EAN
- EAN 0710473191081
- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 20.10.2017
- EAN
- EAN 0710473191098
- 01. Funk With Me
02. Weak For You
03. Sat,Nite (Is A Party Nite)
04. Tribute To Bob Marley
05. 10 Years In Love
06. Don't Make Me CryDANNY OFFIA
Funk With Me
[engl] Danny Offia?s Funk With Me is a prime slab of Nigerian Boogie. Sinewy and urbane, it?s the soundtrack of Lagos in the early eighties. The city was awash with oil money, clubs were booming and every night was a party night ? the perfect place for a man with a great voice, a white suit and seductively-clutched packet of B&H Golds. Funk With Me was recorded in London with a crack team of session musicians. Drummer Blair Cunningham was from Memphis and had played with Robert Johnson. Sax player Ray Carless was regarded as the London jazz scene?s best-kept secret. Engineer Duncan Bridgeman would go on to work with Duran Duran. Danny Offia brought the songs and the Lagos attitude. ?Funk With Me? is a certified party starter. ?10 Years In Love? and ?Weak For You? are sophisticated groovers. ?Sat Nite (Is A Party Nite)? is guaranteed to get any girl on the dancefloor, while ?Don?t Make Me Cry? is smooth enough take her home. Funk With Me is Lagos in an album ? cosmopolitan, sexy and witty with an energy and spirit, all of its own. - Peter Moore, www.africanrevolutions.com- Format
- CD
- Release-Datum
- 06.11.2017
- EAN
- EAN 0710473191043
- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 15.07.2017
- EAN
- EAN 0710473191050
- 01. Mr. Love
02. God Of Mercy
03. Time Is Come
04. You Turn Me On
05. Get Ready
06. Know ThyselfEFFI DUKE & THE LOVE FAMILY
Mr. Love
[engl] Nigeria had a unique music scene which began spreading rapidly in the 1970s. The era was based on unspoiled use of fuzz pedal, keyboards and indisputable influences of the Psychedelic Blues bands of the West. In 1980 Effi Duke & The Love Family came out with their debut Mr. Love. It was released by Homzy Records which was a home of many Afro-Funk records, going strong from mid '70s toward '80s. Effi Duke & The Love Family being one of their most energetic albums. The '80s were definitely more into a jazzy sound with disco slowly infiltrating the African music scene. What's so unique about Mr. Love is Effi Duke's love for guitar based Jazz and together with African rhythms and funky bass, his album is a Funk/Jazz/Disco hybrid. He's an incredible guitarist and also at the time of this LP an ex-Wings member. They were one of the most popular bands from Nigeria. Effi Duke was a key part of the scene with being member of The Wings, The Visitors, The Apostles, he played also the guitars on Mary Afi Usuah's fantastic second LP African Woman (which will be also rereleased on PMG) and on many other great albums including the incredible Folk 77 album.- Format
- CD
- Release-Datum
- 25.07.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190237
- Format
- LP
- Release-Datum
- 25.07.2016
- EAN
- EAN 0710473190190