Chino Odimba
October 2004 - King Sunny Ade, Dr Victor Olaiya, Mabulu
Hi and welcome. Let's celebrate 44 years of Nigerian independence with some classic highlife and juju.
- Nigeria's King of Juju
- Evil Genius of Highlife
- Mabulu from Mozambique
- Instrumental magic
- Chino Odimba's Recommended CDs
Nigeria's King of Juju
As we leave the month of October, remembering Black History, festivals of harvest and the like, I am still revealing in the fact that October is a month that starts with the celebrations around Nigerian Independence.
Since its independence 44 years ago, Nigeria has seen some very good times and some not so good times. But undoubtedly, it has also produces some of the greatest musicians in the world. If you want to hear some of the musicians that I have been singing along with recently then check out my recommended CDs.
Let us start this journey together by mentioning that one of the Nigerian greats of all time King Sunny Ade and his Queens of Lagos will be making a one gig appearance at the Barbican Centre, London on 30th October. Gracing us with his infamous Juju sound, this will be a rare outing of a true legend.
Yes, ladies and gentleman! Welcome into the arena the undisputed heavyweight champion of Juju! Sorry for the melodrama but juju music would not be the same without this legend of Nigerian music. Juju music is a popular Yoruba style, featuring talking drums, guitars, keyboards, and sometimes pedal steel.
Born Sunday Adeniyi on the 22nd of September 1946, it did not take long for the young Sunny Ade to start making his way towards music. He formed his first, and still accompanying, band African Beats (formerly known as the Green Spots) in 1966. And not long after started up the first of many recording music labels.
Although King Sunny Ade's reputation soared by the year in Nigeria during the 1980s, he still remained relatively unknown to the international music world. This all changed in the late 1990s when he was nominated for a Grammy for his album 'Odu'. King Sunny Ade has made his mark on Nigeria, and now can sit back and accept the adoration.
To sample the juju sound check out King of Juju, a Best of CD including the classic track Synchro System 'Ase' (which includes Stevie Wonder on harmonica) and 'Jingo' (a collaboration with Manu Dibango.
Evil Genius of Highlife
To be named the 'Evil Genius' of any strand of music takes some beating, but to be named that as a highlife musician is true class. Dr Victor Olaiya is a musical giant in both Highlife music, and Nigerian music in general. Olaiya was able to take all the possibilities that were available at the height of popular music in Nigeria, and used it to secure his name in the hall of fame of highlife. The infectiousness of all his music typifies highlife music, yes - but once again let us remember that he was called 'Evil genius'. He always brings energy to his music - and some of the grooves that can be heard in his music past and present could never be matched. Music is his life, his work and his play. He can still be heard today playing at his famous 'Stadium Hotel' in Lagos, Nigeria, taking pleasure from making music as enjoyable as possible. Have a listen to the CD 'The best of 3 decades of Highlife' which came out last year.
Moving out across the African continent and around the UK, here are some events to look out for as we approach the festive season:
Mabulu from Mozambique
Mabulu are a fusion band from Mozambique who bring something new to the sounds of the native country by adding their own unique mix of rap and hip hop - it's fantastic to see a very young rapper fronting a band of veteran musicians. Mabulu means "dialogue" in Shangana, and that is exactly what this band are trying to do - to start a dialogue between the old Mozambique and the new Mozambique, a dialogue between the generations and, even clearer, a dialogue between their music and the rest of the world. They currently touring the UK in an innovative acoustic-rap format, introducing for the first time to British audiences the vocal talents of Maputo's ragga star Mr Arssen, who featured so emphatically on their 1st album Karimbo.
Instrumental magic
Here are a couple of gigs not to miss if you are anywhere near:
On November 25th Modeste Hughes plays the Midland Arts Centre in Birmingham (Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH, Box office: 0121 440 3838).
Impossible to define, and almost as impossible to resist, this Madagascan singer and guitarist, is still producing highly original music. A self taught guitarist, Modeste can easily be ranked amongst some of the best players of the instrument to come out of Africa. And he lives here in the UK! This musicality can only compliment a voice that is at once meditative as it is exciting. His music is subtle, and purely of its own style but leaves audiences everywhere he goes desperate for more. If you missed his recent gig in Bristol, then this is another chance for you so see a true artist at work. His last album in 2002 - simply called 'Modeste' - was received with great enthusiasm.
On November 28th Dudu Cissoko plays at the Phoenix Arts Centre Exeter, as part of a wider tour. Like many Senegalese musicians, Doudou Cissoko comes from a long line of griots and like many he plays the traditional instrument of his people, the kora. But unlike many of his fellow musicians, Cissoko's music is all about the song. A self confessed songwriter, Cissoko's voice sits first and foremost in his music - in its graceful and assuring way. Cissoko's music is endearing in its simplicity, and experimental in its fusing of Senegalese and Western style.
Bristol's Beau Monde
If you're anywhere near Bristol on November 11th get yourself down to Beau Monde at the Plantation restaurant. (223 Cheltenham Road, Bristol Tel: 0117 907 7932). This is one of the best things to happen to African music in Bristol. This time it's a fundraising event for Haitian relief, and entertainment includes Alphonse Daudet Touna on balafon. If you have never been to a Beaumonde night - then stop wasting time! A night for dressing up and getting down - it promises a fantastic range of African music, tasty food and great company. Always.
Please send me notices of any gigs of events happening in your area - whether it is in a church hall or a national stadium - if it is African music then I want to hear about it.
Until next time.
Chino
Chino Odimba's Recommended CDs
King Sunny Ade - King of Juju
Dr Victor Olaiya - The best of 3 decades of Highlife
Femi Kuti -The best of Femi Kuti
Check out my recommended CDs this month in the CD Reviews section or go to Music Search to look at our archive of recommended CDs.