GENTLEMAN MIKE EJEAGHA 'AKUKO N'EGWU original VOL.1

His numerous fans call him gentleman. But his name is Mike Ejeagha. He is a folklore musician known for his story telling prowess, using music. Infact, it is a slang among the Igbos to say Akuko n’egwu Mike Ejeagha to a story teller.

His musical career started 56 years ago as he watched two guitar players around his compound at the coal camp Enugu in addition to paying attention to anything musical.

As he learnt the guitar, he was also playing other music. But having observed that singing in the native dialect could give him a better identity, he vowed to write and sing using Igbo lyrics. Afterall, his counterparts such as Ebenezer Obey,Victor Uwaifo among others did a similar thing.

With this resolve and the style he adopted, he succeeded in carving a niche for himself as a story teller-musician. His hit came in 1960- the year Nigeria got its independence. This septuagenarian folklorist who says story telling has established his life and developed Akuko n’egwu.

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/akuko-negwu-original-vol-1/id369168245
 

THE BEST OF PRINCE CROSDALE JUBA VOL.1

For lovers of Juba’s music, the launch would provide the platform to reminisce on his golden voice and savour his music altogether. For instance, some of his popular tunes are Asiko Laiye and Magbagbe Mi, which took Nigerian musical scene by storm and enjoyed air play in the late 70s.
Juba, who died in a mysterious circumstance on December 9, 1976, was a household name in the highlife circles. He was also favourite of party goers.

Commenting on his works, music critic, Benson Idonije, said: " The popularity and the acceptance of Crosdale’s Modibodo’s music could be measured by the surging crowd that took to the dancing floor each time Juba crept towards the microphone to sing. With trumpet in hand, he sang with a guttural, glossy voice as he produced modern jazz sounds reminiscent of Mike Falana. His voice can be likened to that of a nightingale, especially with the tinge of Ikale dialect which allows the lyrics tumble out with immediacy and urgency. He was a man gifted with special ability among his contemporaries and the fire in him was just about to spread until death subjugate."
Juba joined Victor Olaiya’s All Stars Band and he was able to forge a headway with his Modibodo Highlife tradition. Olaiya explored his repertoire to make his music more appealing.

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-best-of-prince-crosdale/id369149805 

OFEGE 'TRY AND LOVE'

The mega rare and unbelievably great African psychedelic full length by Ofege would set anyone back some serious cash even in the pre-hard times era of today and we won't even get into the condition of African LPs! Ofege were all high school students who cut this record with some lead guitar help from Mr. Berkley Jones (Guitarist of Blo) so there's some heavy duty fuzz damage throughout the record. This pushes all the right buttons all the time. Perfect.

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/try-and-love/id308764926

THE BEST OF IKENGAS SUPER STARS OF AFRICA

IKENGA SUPERSTARS

Rare and sought after afro-funk & afro-beat

The Ikenga Super Stars of Africa, led by Victor Okoroego, weigh in here with a funky slice of Ikwokilikwo. The Ikengas were born in 1973 as "The Nkengas" when they split from bandleader Osita Osadebe, in the process hijacking the master tape that became the legendary Nkengas in London (Orbitone OTO 06, 1973). This was but a prelude, though, to the group's massive hit, 1975's Ikenga in Africa (Rogers All Stars ASALP 2)

The band continued kickin' it at least until 1984, when its output seemed to trickle out with the rather weak War Against Indiscipline (Rogers All Stars RASLPS 065). In the meantime the Ikengas established themselves as one of the most beloved Nigerian groups of all time, not only in their homeland but across Africa and in Europe as well. African music fans were delighted when a collection of Ikenga recordings, Great Hits Vol. 1 (Rogers All Stars RASCD 018), was finally issued on CD a couple of years ago.

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-best-of-ikenga-super-stars/id377076202

ONYEKA ONWENU 'GOLDEN SONGS VOLUME ONE

 

A woman of many parts! Yes, that is what Onyeka Onwenu is. Broadcaster, singer and actress rolled into one. From the onset of her broadcasting career with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in the 80s, to singing career and later Nollywood, Elegant Stallion (as she is fondly called), ranks among the best artistes that Nigeria has produced.

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/golden-songs-vol-1/id176635254 

IKENGA SUPER STARS

IKENGA SUPERSTARS

Rare and sought after afro-funk & afro-beat

The Ikenga Super Stars of Africa, led by Victor Okoroego, weigh in here with a funky slice of Ikwokilikwo. The Ikengas were born in 1973 as "The Nkengas" when they split from bandleader Osita Osadebe, in the process hijacking the master tape that became the legendary Nkengas in London (Orbitone OTO 06, 1973). This was but a prelude, though, to the group's massive hit, 1975's Ikenga in Africa (Rogers All Stars ASALP 2)

The band continued kickin' it at least until 1984, when its output seemed to trickle out with the rather weak War Against Indiscipline (Rogers All Stars RASLPS 065). In the meantime the Ikengas established themselves as one of the most beloved Nigerian groups of all time, not only in their homeland but across Africa and in Europe as well. African music fans were delighted when a collection of Ikenga recordings, Great Hits Vol. 1 (Rogers All Stars RASCD 018), was finally issued on CD a couple of years ago.

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/super-stars-of-africa-great/id377162760

BRIAN TEMBA 'SOMETHING BETTER'

Brian Temba's debut album Something Better is a very good foundation to build on. Produced by well-known UK producer Steve Anthony Campbell - who has produced international stars like Craig David, Lemar, Jamiroquai and Craenvelope - the album contains 13 beautiful tracks.
Temba, who is now based in the UK, is a seasoned musician. He has worked with renowned musicians including Hugh Masekela, Jonathan Butler and Vicky Vilakazi, starred in the internationally acclaimed Disney musical, "The Lion King" and shared stages with famous R&B musicians such as Tyrese Gibson. On this album Temba is at his best: his vocals are perfect, his lyrics are mature and the beats are super cool.
The album opens with Temba talking about love on the radio-friendly title-track, "Something Better", which is mainly driven by an acoustic guitar riff.
Track 4, "Desert Rose", is arguably Temba's best effort on the whole album. It's catchy, emotional and melodic. Temba is very creative here. He smoothly swings with the beat, hitting all the top notes, while also giving the bassist, Karlito, some space to shine.
Temba also includes his first hit single “Dominoes”, which is a fusion of classic guitar riffs and emotional strings. This album is about love and sees the singer generally focusing on the dynamics of love. On the track, "You Lied To Me", Temba features an unnamed female vocalist who helps him diliver an emotional piece of music. This one is for the heartbroken!
Other cool songs to look out for include "Don’t Let Me Fall”, “Better Then” and “Don't Care”.
The sound quality  is also remarkable. The lows are well managed, the highs are not so loud and the vocals are neatly placed.

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/something-better/id370200670 

Prince Nico Mbarga 'SWEET MOTHER'

Prince Nico Mbarga (1 January 1950 – 24 June 1997) was a highlife musician, born to a Nigerian mother and a Cameroonian father in Abakaliki, Nigeria. He is renowned for his hit song "Sweet Mother", recorded with his band Rocafil Jazz.

His music was inspired by the five years he spent in Cameroon during the Nigerian Civil War in the late 1960's. He played the xylophone, conga, drums, and electric guitar in school bands and he made his professional debut as a member of a hotel band, the Melody Orchestra, in 1970.

Although he only recorded one significant hit, "Sweet Mother," in 1976, which sold more than 13 million copies (and which is recognised as one of Africa's greatest songs), Mbarga played an important role in the evolution of African popular music. With his soulful vocals set to the light melodies of his acoustic guitar, Mbarga created a unique hybrid of Igbo and Congolese guitar playing and uplifting highlife rhythms. He formed his own group, Rocafil Jazz, to perform regularly at the Naza Hotel in the eastern Nigerian city of Onitsha.
After releasing a disappointing single in 1973, Mbarga and Rocafil Jazz had their first success with their second single, I No Go Marry My Papa, which became a regional hit. The band's inability to break past their local following resulted in their recording contract being dropped by EMI, a decision that proved ill-fortuned when the band signed with Rogers All Stars, a Nigerian recording company based in Onitsha, and recorded "Sweet Mother".^[1]
Sung in Pidgin English, "Sweet Mother" became one of the top sellers in the history of Nigerian music. In the six years that Mbarga and Rocafil Jazz remained with Rogers All Stars, 1975 to 1981, they recorded nine albums.

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/sweet-mother/id377030565 

EVI EDNA OGHOLI

Remember Evi Edna-Oghosi? She was the queen of hardcore reggae that stormed the music scene with an album, “My Kind Of Music” in 1987. Well, if you cannot remember her with this, perhaps the popular song, “Happy Birthday” would do the magic. Then, no birthday party was complete without Evi’s “Happy Birthday” blaring from the loudspeakers. Well, after a seven-year sojourn in France, Evi is set to stage a big comeback.

The musician had abandoned hubby, Emma Oghosi and two daughters to pursue her music career, first in the West Coast and later in France about seven years ago.

But Come Easter, Evi Edna, who is currently making waves in Paris, would release her new album, “Peace in the World” on the label of Premier Records Limited with whom she released most of her hit albums.

Says Premier’s Artistes/Promotion Manager, Daniel Akpan: “Reggae freaks would certainly have an exciting time this Easter period listening to the latest album of Evi-Edna.”

“Peace in the World” was produced by one of Nigeria’s talented producers, Fortune Otega, who is based in the US. The 10-tracker has songs like “Sida” (AIDS), “Time is Running Out”, “Urehe Ugberehe”, “Let Us Be Happy”, “Peace in the World” and a remix of three of her popular songs; “Obaro”, “Come And See The Lord” and “Jealousy”.

The artiste, who has been signed-on by France-based, W.L.D Music, would also release the new album simultaneously in other African Countries.

Apart from “My Kind Of Music”, Evi has six other albums to her credit. According to Akpan, Evi is expected in Nigeria in a few months time to promote the new album.

Meanwhile, Premier Records has compiled the promotional videos of Evi’s previous works for sale on VCD.

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-best-of-evi-edna-ogholi/id369148419 

AFRICAN FOOTBALL ANTHEMS VOL.2

51 LEX PRESENTS

THE FINEST AFRICAN CHAMPION ARTISTS

FROM MODERN HIP HOP SOUNDS TO CLASSIC HIGHLIFE MATERIAL BY SOME OF NIGERIA'S ALL STAR PERFORMERS AND ACTS

TRACKLIST

Cheif Commander Ebenezer Obey - Ayo lgbala 

The Pyramids - Ikom Allah

D' Banj - Mo Gbono Feli Feli

Chakka Da' Souljah - Ichiban

Dr. Sid - Something About You

Wrinkars Experience - Fuel For Love

D'banj - Celebrate ft. Wande Coal

Asa - Eyin Mummy

Monomono - Tire Loma Da Nigbehin

Tunji Oyelana & The Benders - Ifa

The Mebusas - Son, Of Mr. Bull Dog

Breakers Yard - Shake Your Arse (Alaye Funky house remix)

Ofo The Black Company - Allah Wakbarr

The Funkees - Onye Nmaya 1 & 2

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/african-football-anthems-vol/id376844419

AFRICAN FOOTBALL ANTHEMS VOL.3

51 LEX PRESENTS

THE FINEST AFRICAN CHAMPION ARTISTS

FROM MODERN HIP HOP SOUNDS TO CLASSIC HIGHLIFE MATERIAL BY SOME OF NIGERIA'S ALL STAR PERFORMERS AND ACTS

TRACKLIST

Naeto C. - Ako Mi Ti Poju

Sasha - Gidi babe

Alaye - Excuse me feat. 9ice

Tosin Martins - Made in Nigeria feat. Naeto c

Sasha - Run with it 

Sauce Kid - Na me be fine boy

Tosin Martins - Ogaju

Naeto C - Lagos City Hustler

Sasha - Making Money

Ikechukwu - Back to you TY Mix

Alaye - Eyes Dont Lie Feat. Naeto c

GT The Guitar Man - Hustle

Dare Art Alade - Young man Feat. L.D. & KB

Dare Art Alade - Mowo Bale Feat. Paolo Ralolo Raul

Ikechukwu - Wind Am Well

Naeto C - Kini Big Deal (Official Remix)

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/african-football-anthems-vol/id376795499

AFRICAN FOOTBALL ANTHEMS VOL.1

51 LEX PRESENTS

THE FINEST AFRICAN CHAMPION ARTISTS

FROM MODERN HIP HOP SOUNDS TO CLASSIC  HIGHLIFE MATERIAL BY SOME OF NIGERIA'S ALL STAR PERFORMERS AND ACTS

GENERAL PYPE - Champion 
PRINCE NICO MBARGA - Sweet Mother
P-SQUARE - Do Me
SIR VICTOR UWAIFO - Joromi
BREAKER YARD - Shake Your Arse (N'fa Big Beat Mix)
BLO - Blo
BENNIS CLETIN - Jungle Magic
MODENINE - It's A Goal
DR SID - Pop Something FT. D'Banj
GT THE GUITAR MAN - Wettin U Say? Ft Sauce Kid
CHIEF STEPHEN OSITA OSADEBE - Makojo
WANDE COAL - Bumper To Bumper

WAHALA PROJECT - Wahala

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/african-football-anthems-vol1/id376797026

GENERAL PYPE 'CHAMPION' VIDEO

Champion is the 20th century song of Triumph and the sweet melody of Success.. I grew up in Obalende Lagos Nigeria a fact that I am proud of anytime anyday I was once like the kids in this video filled with hope for a brighter tomorrow... sent on errands like them lol!!. Pype is on a journey and every journey has a beginning just like every story. I needed a truthful visual representation of my origin and people( Big Shout out to Bobby Boulders-the Video Director, My Management/Manager & Pupa Ayo Rotimi for the concept & vision for the video, The script writer Susan Aguh, Podium Vybez my label, Storm 360 for joining the movement, all my friends, fans & family that came out to show us Love, Rispek! Nuff love to PassWord for Producing The Riddim) the world needs to see that this is where I'm from no matter where my career is taking me, I have to begin by showing love to the hood that raised me while celebrating with them because they are champions that gave birth to a champion... Champion is the song you need every second in your life it kills every negativity around you. No matter what challenges you are faced with this Champion vibe has broken the Jinx remind yourself constantly that you are A born Champion... being a Champion is not about race or gender it's about believing in yourself no matter what others say or think of you... CHAMPION is a gift from the Heartbeat of Africa, Lagos-Nigeria to all the Champions around the World... Now that you have broken all the limitations and you are ready to unleash the Champion in you.... Chant the Chorus Always!!!!

CHORUS:
I am a born champion (Unique and mi Special)
You are a born champion yeah (limitless, defeatless)
We are the born champions now (Undisputed soldier)
This is the song for the champions

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/champion/id374062539

http://www.facebook.com/generalpype 

SONNY OKOSUNS

Sonny Okosun (sometimes called "Sonny Okosuns"), who hails from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, started his first band, the Postmen, in 1964, then served several years in the group of Victor Uwaifo before launching Paperback Ltd. (soon renamed Ozziddi) in 1972.

Ozziddi's first few releases, with their catchy, rock-inflected melodies and topical lyrics were all big hits in Nigeria, but 1977's "Fire in Soweto" really put Okosun on the map internationally. Further attention came in the early eighties with the release of "Liberation," a "best-of" compilation on the American Shanachie label, and a number of international tours.

Okosun's supposed "controversial" lyrics in the 1970s and 1980s about South Africa and the plight of the Third World were actually not at all radical in the African context. In this regard it is interesting to compare Okosun's career with that of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti , who faced genuine hardship as a result of his pointed attacks on the Nigerian elite.

Sonny Okosun's career faded in the late 1980s, but the singer roared back in 1994 with the smash gospel album "Songs of Praise," which won a number of Nigerian music awards. Since then, "Evangelist Sonny Okosuns" has ridden a wave of Christian evangelism in Nigeria to become that country's foremost gospel musician, with a growing fan base in other parts of the world.
Sonny Okosun towers among the giants of contemporary Nigerian music -- assigning his signature fusion of reggae, highlife, Afro-funk, and traditional melodies and rhythms the catchall description "ozziddi" (or "message"), he tackled head-on the most incendiary political and social issues gripping the African continent.

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-gospel-of-ozziddi/id338061376
Sonny Okosun – Ozziddi For Sale

RAS KIMONO

Born in Shanty town in Nigeria, Ras Kimono was bred in the Ghetto. As a youth, he experienced oppression, brutality, hardship and inequality, factors that became a major influence on his philosophy as a man; detesting injustice, corruption, favoritism and discrimination. Ras Kimono now goes around the world, propagating unity among humankind, irrespective of color, creed, religion, race or geographical boundaries.
Ras Kimono is Nigeria's number one reggae artist and an indisputable leader in Africa, but Kimono's popularity transcends the reggae boundaries. His message is embraced by lovers of good, positive vibrations and his ardent followers can be found amongst lovers of all kinds of music. A vegetarian, Kimono is a Rastafarian in the purest form. He is a farmer, fisherman and God-fearing.Very solidly, Kimono has moved from height to height, balancing high record sales with outstanding impressive stage performances. He has taken his message out of Nigeria onto the world by playing major concerts in the United States, England, Italy, Kenya, Ghana and Papua New Guinea where his Benson and Hedges stadium concerts attracted a record average of 45,000 people per concert. He is an all round performer who handles the guiter and saxophone. He has also emerged as a powerful composer, arranger and vocalist. He has developed his own style of root reggae music that skillfully blends his African roots with classical Jamaican rhythm. Ras Kimono has performed with Top Reggae artist such as Shaggy, Shaba Ranks, Lee Perry, Lucky Dube, Culture, Inna Circle, Steve Wonder, Eve and K.C. and JoJo and a host of other international artists.

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/reggae-hits-vol-1/id338061239
Ras Kimono

BRIGHT CHIMEZIE

Bright Chimezie born 10 January 1960, known as Okoro Junior, a Nigerian highlife musician is from Ekeoba, Ohuhu, Umuahia, Abia State. His Band/Sound (known as Zigima) became widely available in Nigeria from the early 80s.
Bright Chimezie, aka "Okoro Junior," broke out as the hot Nigerian highlife star of the mid-1980s with his pop-influenced style, and has continued to be popular through the nineties and into the new millennium.
I became a musician in the Customs and Excise dance band. In fact we formed that band in 1980. I was with the Customs between 1980 and 1985. I resigned from the Customs on August 17, 1985 but I was there when my debut album titled Respect Africa was released. While I was in the Customs, I carved out this Zigima concept. Zigima simply means Ozi I ga-ama in Igbo language. In English it means “the message you ought to know”. And what is this message you are supposed to know? You are supposed to know that Nku no na mba, n’eghere mba nri in English means “firewood of a people cooks their food”. And you are also supposed to know that, Ife aka ndu in English means “nothing is bigger than life”.

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/greatest-hits-of-bright-chimezie/id369181098

Bright Chimezie (Okoro Junior)

oriental brothers international band

Christogonus Ezebuiro Obinna (1947, Imo State, Nigeria – June 2, 1999), the Ultimate Dr. Sir Warrior, was the leader of the Oriental Brothers International Band which ruled the Nigerian highlife music scene for several decades.[1] He modernized highlife music. His style remains an epitome of defined music with meaning, direction, and purpose. He played on various occasions in Nigeria as well as on the international stage in places like London and the United States of America.
At the age of 27 in 1974, Warrior registered an indelible trademark with his universally recognized genre. His 1975 album Nwa Ada Di Mma with eight tracks touched the heart and soul of the world. The release of that album immediately established him as a master of music. He believed that God created him to be a musician. So, he dedicated his entire life to the service of humanity through his music. His works garnered him several awards worldwide. His witty words often spiced with Igbo proverbs were appreciated by all so much that he came to be called the Ultimate Star of Music.

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/nwa-ada-di-nma/id347242580
Oriental Brothers International Band

c.k. mann of ghana

C.K. Mann is a guitarist originally hailing from Moses Kweku Oppong's band Kakaiku in the 1960s. In the '70s, Mann left Oppong and began his own band, Carousel Seven, in which he began composing his own songs and holding a basic osode beat with a solo guitar. The outcome of this combination was a mildly melancholy sound which was quite popular on the Ghanaian West Coast market. The rootsy sound that he had created, however, began to dilute under commercial success and by the mid-'80s, Mann had more or less retired and moved to Canada.

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/selected-best-of-c-k-mann/id369150261 
C.K.Mann – Selected Best Of C.K.Mann Of Ghana (Legendary Highlife Maestro)

Rex Jim Lawson (c.1930 - 1971), known as Cardinal Rex, was a singer, trumpeter and bandleader from Kalabari (Ijaw), Nigeria. One of the best-known highlife musicians of the 1960s, Lawson played with Sammy Obot, Bobby Benson, Victor Olaiya, Chris Ajiko, and other Ghanaian and Nigerian musicians and bands. His greatest success came as the leader of the Mayors Dance Band; their recorded hits include So ala teme, Yellow Sisi, Gowon Special, and Jolly Papa. His most popular hit is probably Love Adure, which is still a sure floor-filler in Nigeria to this day.
A highly emotional and deep musician, Lawson was known to weep and shed tears while singing his own songs, notably the haunting So ala teme. Sir Maliki Showman, the famous Nigerian tenor saxophonist who played with Bobby Benson, Victor Uwaifo and Rex Lawson, remembers Lawson as always placing music over money. Lawson is famed for his infectious gregariousness, his musical vision, talent, perseverance and individuality.
Lawson died in 1971 in a car accident on his way to play a show in Warri, Nigeria.
His music is loved to this day in Nigeria. His songs are regularly performed and danced at live band shows in Nigeria, and a number of young musicians have resang some of his old hits, and his relevance continues to be felt. The young new generation highlife musician CHE & the Continuous Highlife Evolution, for instance, dedicated his hit debut album PALMGROOVE to Rex Lawson.

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-classics-vol-2/id176640475
Rex Lawson

CHIEF STEPHEN OSITA OSADEBE

CHIEF STEPHEN OSITA OSADEBE

Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe's career spans over 40 years, and capturing the essence of that colorful musical career is a very daunting task indeed.In March 1936, Osadebe was born in Atani, of the Ibo tribe, in Eastern Nigeria. The Ibo possess a vibrant cultural heritage often expressed in dances and songs about life and its complexities. This vibrancy is greatly captured in Osadebe's music. He comes from a line of native singers and dancers.Mentored by trumpeter Zeal Onyia, Osadebe soon worked his way through a circuit of night clubs and dance halls in Lagos, South Western tip of Nigeria, far away from his home. His musical gift had blossomed in high school, in Onitsha Nigeria's commercial city, near Atani.In 1958, his first record was released to much acclaim and acceptance. It contained two songs, one of which was "Adamma", a tribute to a beautiful lady.Since then, he has written over 500 songs, more than half of which have been released and circulated world-wide. Today, he enjoys the prime prestige of the doyen of highlife music in Africa. In some circles, he is even considered a cultural icon.Highlife music was introduced in Nigeria with uncertain prospects in the late thirties. Its roots lie in Ghana (then the Gold Coast) and to a lesser extent in Sierra Leone which were the two leading nations in the West African sub-region at that time. Colonialism was loosing its ebb as the new local elite gained more overseas exposure and training. Highlife was the music that this new elite retired to after the office hours.There has always existed a robust co-dependency between the musical tastes of Africans and the modern cultural expressions of Europe and America. The colonial and post-colonial ties have always remained there. Much advancement in modern technology has greatly enhanced this.Osadebe's musical growth drew from calypso, samba, bolero, rumba, jazz, waltz, all of which are the core formative elements of highlife music in its rustic form. As a part of the post-colonial renaissance that flourished around the era of Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's founding president, highlife music had its leading exponent in E. T. Mensah, who single-handedly established it a viable art form in West Africa.It has always retained an easy flowing, swaying, ballroom format. The presence of horns and saxes has been consistent in highlife, as much as its celebratory ebb.As a good student of musical expression, Osadebe did not initially give himself much room for much experimentation with Highlife's form. The Empire Rhythm Ochestra, led by E. C. Arinze provided room for Osadebe to learn. Nobody suspected that the little skinny young man was later to embody the accumulation of the pioneering efforts of Rex Lawson, Celestine Ukwu, Eddie Okonta, Victor Olaiya, Fred Coker, and Victor Uwaifo and several others.Having become established, Osadebe took his music to another level in two major ways. The first was in incorporating satiric social commentary in his compositions. He was not as ribald and confrontational as Fela Kuti, nor was he as overtly benign as Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey. He often appeared to target personal foes, a factor that later hindered his lyrical purity. The second was in extending the duration of each song to accommodate the dance floor jolly mood of his audience.The outbreak of hostilities between Nigeria and one of her regions (the later self-named Biafra) led to an enormous loss of the prominence that highlife enjoyed in Nigeria, especially Lagos. The mass exodus of the Easterners to Biafra left a huge gap that was soon filled by juju music, and later Afrobeat. After the war, things were never the same ever again. By the early Seventies, Lagos had made room for numerous music forms especially for James Brown. Nigerian music had been altered and deeply enlarged forever.Osadebe, kept his live performance schedule active both during and after the war, in-spite of all the hardship of those years. By the mid Seventies his career had reached its zenith. Osadebe '75 gave him great success. Several hits followed in rapid succession like Biafran bullets. This continued as the Nigerian economy swam in its much wasted oil boom. He also survived several band split-ups. One positive result of this shaky period that he went through was that Nigerian music welcomed several voices that found expressions thereby enriching the highlife genre. On the other hand, a negative bias crept into his artistry, which became increasingly compromised.In 1984, Osadebe struck gold with "Osondi Owendi." His profile had been established as the leading highlife musician. His bold innovative experiments paid off admirably. "Makojo," which appears in this collection was, a celebrated hit from the eighties.Through the years, his music has evolved a particular flow that features jazzy horns and strong guitar strokes atop bold native instrumentation. His voice, which is his major instrument, has maintained an incredible consistency through the years. He does as much singing as narrating in some of his songs.Another feature of his musical evolution is the heroic praise he gives to social clubs and his rich patrons. This is a carry over from traditional African music, which celebrates the war and economic exploits of the local warriors and farmers. Again, this trait has threatened the more philosophical lyricism of his music as an art form. It is always argued that music is a mirror of the society. Palace patronage often presents the danger of over reaching itself, by going into hyperbole.When Osadebe turned 50 in 1986, he consciously began to make room for his son Obiora, by lightening his touring schedule. Several children from his wives had also began to demand more fatherly guidance. His record releases however have not diminished in any way. And age seems to have added more glow to his golden career. One of his internationally celebrated releases of recent is "Kedu America".
for full online catalogue click links below

http://ax.search.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZSearch.woa/wa/search?entity=album&media=all&page=1&restrict=true&startIndex=0&term=chief+stephen+osita+osadebe

Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe

TUNDE NIGHTINGALE

Tunde Nightingale Western as he was popularly known was born in lbadan in the late 40s. He was a soft spoken and unassuming person who added panache to his image by keeping the legendary singing bird, a Nightingale, in his home.
Unlike the other stars of the era, Tunde Nightingale was an elusive character which helped to create the mystery surrounding him.
He was casual in his approach to life as his dress sense would testify: always dressing in the same style of dress. Highly respected by his fellow musicians, his contemporaries included stars like the legendary I. K. Dairo and Dele Ojo. Tunde Nightingale was credited with the ‘Owambe’ system which became very popular amongst the corps of Lagos socialites who sponsored him on a tour aboard.
On his return, he signed for the music label, TYC. In his life time he recorded up to 41 LPs. The pioneering nature of his music was to such an extent that modern stars like King Sunny Ade were known to have at one time or the other have played and experimented with his style.

ADEOLU AKISANYA BABA ETO

ADEOLU AKISANYA
One of the pioneers of Yoruba juju music.

Jùjú music is performed primarily by artists from the southwestern region of Nigeria, where the Yoruba are the most numerous ethnic group. In performance, audience members commonly shower jùjú musicians with paper money; this tradition is known as "spraying."

http://ax.search.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZSearch.woa/wa/search?entity=album&media=all&page=1&restrict=true&startIndex=0&term=ADEOLU+AKISANYA

Adeolu Akisanya

EBENEZER OBEY A.K.A CHIEF COMMANDER

 CHIEF COMMANDER EBENEZER OBEY
Obey, whose full name is Ebenezer Remilekun Aremu Olasupo Obey-Fabiyi, was born in Idogo, Ogun State, Nigeria of Egba-Yoruba ethnic background. He is of the Owu subgroup of the Egba. He began his professional career in the mid-1950s after moving to Lagos. After tutelage under Fatai Rolling-Dollar's band, he formed a band called The International Brothers in 1964, playing highlife-juju fusion. The band later metamorphosed into Inter-Reformers in the early-1970s, with a long list of Juju album hits on the West African Decca musical label.
Obey began experimenting with Yoruba percussion style and expanding on the band by adding more drum kits, guitars and talking drums. Obey's musical strengths lie in weaving intricate Yoruba axioms into dance-floor compositions. As is characteristic of Nigerian Yoruba social-circle music, the Inter-Reformers band excel in praise-singing for rich Nigerian socialites and business tycoons. Obey, however, is also renowned for Christian spiritual themes in his music and has since the early-1990s retired into Nigerian gospel music ministry.
Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey was born in Idogo, the Western region of Nigeria in 1942. His musical talent was recognized early on when he was asked to lead the band at his Methodist Primary School. Afer moving to Lagos in the mid-1950s he played in various other bands before starting his own, the International Brothers, in 1964. Soon they had a hit juju single "Ewa Wowun Ojumi Ri." Though juju had been around for a while it was still highly influenced by Ghanaian highlife. Obey modernized the sound by adding the funkiness of Yoruban drumming, more Western-style guitars and drum-kits, and added multiple talking drums, where only one had been used before. That was the beginning of modern juju. As he says:
"It's like cooking a soup. If you put in many different ingredients, it tastes richer and better"
In 1966, Obey's chief juju rival, King Sunny Ade came on the scene, and they still maintain a friendly rivalry today.
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51 LEX RECORDS PRESENTS

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