You’ll know that Soundway is the Brighton-based label specializing in re-issuing recordings of obscure original Afro-jazz, Afro-funk & Latin-Jazz artists and this is another excellent release from them.

When you think of all the different styles of popular music that were going on in the UK from 1970-1976, a period dominated by the pop Top 40 and the many rock variants (glam, progressive, pub, kraut, jazz to the early flames of punk), don’t be surprised that there’s more to this compilation than just Afro-beat, Juju and Apala. Featuring some long forgotten tracks and even some previously un-released material the two CDs cover what was happening outside of The Shrine in the early 70s.

Label boss Miles Cleret has spend five years working on this release including many trips to Nigeria, from diggin’ in dusty warehouses to interviewing the musicians and label owners of the time. Hopefully they’ll be more to this project than just this release and the 32-page booklet.

Even if Nigeria didn’t win this years’ African Cup Of Nations, you can console yourself with either this CD release or alternatively, the two-part vinyl LP editions.

P.S. There’s only one Efan Ekoku (excellent on BBC2 and Talk Sport) and congratulations Egypt on lifting the cup today.

Reviewed: Various — V/A — Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds and Nigerian Blues, 1970-1976 Cat. No. SNDWCD009 Release date: 4th February 2008
Tracklisting:
The Anambra Beats-Ayamma (4:05)
Celestine Ukwu & His Philosophers National -Okwukwe Na Nchekwube (6:09)
The Don Isaac Ezekiel Combination-Amalinja (5:15)
The Funkees -Akula Owu Onyeara (7:28)
Dele Ojo & His Star Brothers Band -Oja Omoba (3:41)
The Harbours Band -Koma Mosi (2:54)
The Semi-Colon -Nekwaha Semi Colon (3:29)
Sir Victor Uwaifo & His Melody Maestros -Osalobua Rekpama (3:20)
St. Augustine & His Rovers Dance Band -Onwu Ama Dike (6:05)
The Sahara All Stars of Jos -Feso Jaiye (4:08)
Mono Mono -Ema Kowa Iasa Ile Wa (6:48)
Tunji Oyelana & The Benders-To Whom It May Concern (2:56)
The Tony Benson Sextet -Ugali (5:21)
The Nigerian Police Force Band -Asiko Ni Mi (5:09)
Godwin Ezike & The Ambassadors -Torri Wowo (3:07)
Opotopo (Easy Kabaka Brown) -Belema (6:12)
Dan Satch & His Atomic 8 Dance Band of Aba -Alabeke (4:35)
Popular Cooper and His All Beats Band -Arraino (3:02)
Collins Oke Elaiho & His Odoligie Nobles Dance Band-Simini - Yaya (3:39)
Bola Johnson & His Easy Life Top beats -Buroda Mase (4:55)
The Hykkers -I Want a Break Thru’ (3:01)
George Akaeze & His Augmented Hits -Business Before Pleasure (4:36)
Shadow Abraham with Mono Mono Friends -Omo Yen Wu Mi (3:28)
Leo Fadaka & The Heroes -Blak Sound (4:53)
Joseph & The Creative 7 - Eguae Oba Osayomore (4:29)
Etubom Rex Williams & His Nigerian Artistes -Akpaisong (2:28)

Links:
www.soundwayrecords.com
www.cargo-london.com 13.03.08 : CHARLIE DARK’S AFRICAN BEATS — Using the polyrhythmic rhythms of Nigerian JuJu music as a catalyst, writer, musician, DJ and Blacktronica collective founder, Charlie Dark breaks out his turntables and drum machines and returns to the studio and live stage with his first musical project since the demise of Attica blues back in 2002. Inspired by record hunting trips to West Africa he saw the parallels between the beats he was programming back in London and the rhythms he was hearing within the grooves of the dusty old African records he was sampling. 7-1am £10 adv LIVE: CHARLIE DARK’S AFRICAN BEATS + MARK DE CLIVE LOWE