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viewing 1 To 13 of 13 items
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CD
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ACD 009CD
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"Pazy (real name Joseph Etinagbedia) started playing music in the Fire Flies in the city of Warri, Nigeria in 1973. The area was in the midst of an oil boom, and like most bands on that scene, the Fire Flies played American and European pop hits mixed with jazz and highlife
for the largely expat audiences in local clubs. Along with an influx of foreigners, the oil boom also gave rise to an emerging Nigerian youth market, and soon Pazy formed the Black Hippies to play the uniquely African style of hard rock that was favored by this new audience. They quickly found success and appeared alongside other Warri-based artists such as Tony Grey. In short time, they came to the attention of EMI and their legendary producer Odion Iruoje, who recorded this album. By the time it was released in 1977, though, disco and funk were starting to take over and the hard fuzzy rock of The Black Hippies first album was somewhat behind the times. As a result, the album was barely released and is now virtually un-findable, unseen by all but a few of the most hardcore collectors. Pazy would go on to form a new line up of the Black Hippies that played mostly reggae but this remains by far the best album. Featuring whiplash funk drumming, searing fuzz guitar, raw vocals and that uniquely West African organ sound, The Black Hippies first album is a definitive classic of the genre. Beautifully remastered with restored artwork, this release stands alongside our Ofege and Psychedelic Aliens releases as restored gems from a largely unknown but incredibly vital rock scene in '70s West Africa."
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LP
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ALP 009LP
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LP version. Includes a 12" x 24" poster.
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7"
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ACDASS 005EP
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"Though we were able to license these songs from the band, we were not able to get much in the way of information about this devastating early '70s Afro funk 45 by the enigmatic Cutlass Band. What we do know is that both sides are prime examples of the heavy, raw sounds that Academy and Voodoo Funk have been seeking out for their ongoing 45 series. With restored sound faithful to the original release and artwork derived from original sources, this single is a proud addition to our previous releases."
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7"
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ACDASS 006EP
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"Starting his career with the Cafe De France Band in 1967, Los Issifu traveled around Ghana and Burkina Faso singing with various groups for almost 10 years before returning to his hometown of Ashanti Mampong in the north of Ghana to form the band heard on this 45. Pulled from his extremely rare Tanga Beat LP, the two songs here are prime examples of the raw, gritty Afro funk that Academy and Voodoo Funk have been issuing in their collaborative 45 series. It doesn't hurt that 'Kana Soro' leads off with a massive break either. As usual, this fully licensed release features vibrant restored sound and artwork derived from the original sources."
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LP
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ALP 008LP
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"First coming together in 1970, Freedom Family underwent numerous permutations, crossing paths with musicians such as the Big Beats, the Barbeques, Voices Of Darkness, The Elcados, Joni Haastrup, and Fela along the way. Their musical odyssey took them from Ghana to Liberia, Nigeria, The Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso (then Upper Volta). The story of the Freedom Family is an incredible insight into the life of a musician in '70s West Africa and a dramatic portrait of that music scene in general. This release includes a beautiful eight page booklet with liner notes by singer Albert Jones, whose vivid recollections bring these stories to life in compelling fashion. Illustrated with vintage photos of the band, the booklet alone is an incredible document of the time. Academy LPs and Frank Gossner (Voodoo Funk) continue their fruitful collaboration with the release of Ayentsoo, an incredible Afro funk record that is rivaled only by the first Marijata record (also released on Academy LPs) in its sheer power and heaviness. Indeed, this record takes its rightful place along any funk record from anywhere as a pinnacle of the genre. Absolutely consistent from beginning to end, there is not a dull second here. Recorded in 1974 with legendary producer Odion Iruoje (Ofege, SJOB Movement, Fela, and many others), this record features one of the fattest bass sounds ever committed to tape and captures the band at the absolute stunning peak of their powers. In fact, Odion would play this record for years to come as an example to other bands he was producing. This deluxe reissue continues the high standards set by the previous Academy LPs releases with beautifully restored artwork, eight page illustrated 12" x 12" booklet, and powerful remastered sound by Tim Warren."
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CD
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ACD 007CD
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"Gyedu-Blay Ambolley unleashed his unique brand of 'simigwa' music on an eager yet unsuspecting world in 1975 with the release of this, his debut album. Suffused with his larger-than-life personality, this LP is an absolutely irresistible manifesto of his heavy afro-funk simigwa philosophy. This record spawned a genuine dance craze in Ghana and is even considered a foundational record of the hip lifestyle of hip hop that is popular in Ghana today. Long sought-after by collectors, Academy LPs and Voodoo Funk have teamed up once again to revive this incredible record from the vibrant musical scene of 70's West Africa. Mastered from the original master tapes and featuring the rather remarkable original sleeve, this is an ultra high-quality reissue that continues the reputation we've built with our previous releases. CD comes with a 15" x 15" poster of the cover art."
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7"
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ASS 004EP
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"Contemporary Afro-funk aficionados need not feel inadequate for not having heard of the musicians known as Tex Soul - even at the peak of his brief career in the mid-1970s, he never approached widespread national recognition in his native Nigeria. Unheard-of in the dance halls and on the radio waves of the country's principal metropolis of Lagos, Tex Soul was a hero in the Eastern city of Aba, where his prowess as the consummate entertainer lived as the stuff of local legend. As a performer who could dance like James Brown, play the guitar like Jimi Hendrix, and belt out a song with the soulfulness of ages, Tex Soul's name was prefixed by the word 'Showman," almost as a permanent honorific. Now Voodoo Funk and Academy Records are proud to expose this tragically overlooked artist to a new audience, digging deep to unearth the single Uto Nwa b/w Osi Na Ngada, recorded by Tex in 1972 with his early soul group The Bayonets, forgotten even by the hardest Aba scenesters!"
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7"
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ASS 003EP
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"Academy LPs, working once again with Voodoo Funk, is proud to revive this long-lost 45 in time for Record Store Day. This is a fantastic two-sider of deep-n-dirty early '70s Afro-funk that has few peers. This is a truly deluxe release - fully licensed from the band, painstakingly remastered, pressed with UK style punch-out center and housed in a beautiful custom picture sleeve. Possibly the most deeply funky RSD release ever!"
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7"
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ASS 002EP
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"Looking for a stocking stuffer for that special funky someone on your list? Well look no further, Academy LPs is proud to announce our second release in the Academy Special Singles Series (again, in conjunction with Voodoo FunkIFrank Gossner), Pee Pee Dynamite. This 45 alone will greatly improve anyone's collection of Christmas tunes with two soulful offerings from the heyday of the Ghanian music scene of the '70s. Originally released as an extremely rare 7", this deeply funky Christmas 45 is an early production by the legendary Kwadwo Donkoh, known to many as the driving force behind the Agoro Records label and producer of such groups as the Uhuru Dance Band."
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CD
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ACD 005CD
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"Most anticipated African release ever! Like most stories involving aliens, this one seems, well, made up. But it really happened. For a few years in the late '60s to early '70s worlds collided and aliens walked among us. Psycho African Beat is the complete recorded output of this amazing group and their unprecedented music that combined elements of American soul , funk, garage rock and psych with African rhythms and melodies -- and made music. This magical moment lasted for three short years producing only three releases: One four-song EP and two 7"s. Today, these three original releases are the most sought after and most elusive African funk records. It took Frank Gossner (Voodoofunk.com, Soulpusher, DJ Franco) four years, nine visits to Ghana , and dozens of newspaper ads and radio announcements to track them down. Official release of these long lost gems, licensed directly from the band. Hardcover, book-bound CD with a 32-page booklet. Sharp!"
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CD
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ACD 003CD
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"The Mebusas' lone LP Blood Brothers combines elements of American soul and funk, psychedelic rock, Latin/Carribean rhythms and traditional African music. Innovative arrangements, deep rhythms, and top-notch playing make this 1973 album a true classic. This is the first ever re-issue of this landmark album."
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CD
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ACD 002CD
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"Deep and spacey Afro-funk rhythms from four heavy weight Nigerian musicians: Spark, Jonnie, Ottay and Bolla. Veterans of Sonny Okosun's Ozzidi band, these four branched out on their own to move in a heavier, more personal direction. First ever re-issue of their 1974 classic album."
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CD
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ACD 004CD
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"Some call it disco, some call it boogie, we call it the Lagos Disco Inferno, 12 smokin' rarities straight from Nigeria, dating back to '76-82, compiled by Fronk Gassner (aka OJ Franc 0, Soulpusher) of Voodoo Funk fame. Surprisingly familiar, yet intriguingly foreign, these tracks sound just as fresh today as they did 30+ years ago. Our record is rife with horns, moog and bells and whistles to keep you up all night. Great liner notes by Dean Disi (journalist and former executive of lye Records, lagos) and a special message from extreme record hunter Damian Iwuagwu (Logos). Following in the footsteps of amazing African re-issues of late such as Ofege (Academy LPs), Pax Nicholas and the Netty Family (Daptone), Ghana Special (Soundway), this album stands alone as the first compilation to focus on African disco. But make no mistake, you won't hear any cheesy strings or nasty Roland synths. This is straight up laugh Nigerian disco funk! Restored for you with loving care from Academy LPs. Work it out!" Artists include Doris Ebong, Geraldo Pino, Grotto, Pogo Ltd., Asiko Rock Group, Paradise Stars, Emma Dorgu, MFB, Christy Essien, Tirogo, BLO and Nana Love.
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