Browse by Label: EKOSOUND (UK)

Artist:	JULIUS & HIS AFRO SOUNDERS, ORLANDO
Title:	Orlando's Afro Ideas: 1969-1972
Label:	EKOSOUND (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$12.00
Catalog #:	EKS 001CD

Originally released in 2003; now repressed and at mid-line pricing. The musical heritage of Nigeria is a large area that holds many jewels from Afro-beat to highlife, unknown outside of cities like Lagos, Ibadan, Onitsha and Benin City. Ekosound hopes to put the record straight by representing some of the country's most respected musical figures such as Orlando Julius, Victor Uwaifo and Tunji Oyelana. Orlando Julius was one of the originators of Afro-beat in Nigeria and was one of the main contemporaries of the legendary Fela Kuti from the mid-'60s onwards. He has become known outside of Nigeria since his early material was reissued on Strut Records. The style of the Afro-Sounders is a fusion of highlife, jazz, funk, and traditional Yoruba culture from the west of Nigeria. Here are the recordings Orlando made between the period of 1969-1972, a period when some of the funkiest sounds emanated from not only the USA, but also Africa. Driving, powerful rhythms and stunning sax solos from Orlando himself, combined with elements of not only Yoruba culture but James Brown-style stand-up-and-be-counted mentality made these recordings a revolutionary and unique force at the time in Africa. Apart from "Alo Mi Alo," this is the first time these tracks have been commercially available outside of Africa, and the first time they have been reissued since the ultra-rare original records were pressed in small quantities over thirty years ago.

Artist:	AWA BAND
Title:	Bababatteur feat. Tony Allen
Label:	EKOSOUND (UK)
Format:	12"
Price:	$9.00
Catalog #:	EKS 001EP

"The Awa Band return after some time out to follow the success of their last single 'Timba', remixed to great effect on Defected a few years ago. This time they feature the legendary Tony Allen on drums. He needs little introduction these days but for those of you who don't know he was the drummer and band Leader of Fela Kuti's Africa 70 band that ruled Nigeria for the whole of the 70's. 'Bababatteur' is a tribute to Tony himself: the band features Dele Sosimi on Keyboards (Ex Fela) and Barbara Snow on Vocals. As well as the English version there is a French mix, Tony being a Parisian resident these days. Add Will Quantic on the mix and we end up with a nice Afro-Groover for the coming Summer months."

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