The range of styles vary from highlife to Juju and Nigerian blues in the languages of Yoruba, Igbo, Bini and Ijaw. With a peppering of ‘afro’ experimentation the same musical stew pervades volume 2 as it’s predecessor – some artists appear again alongside some new artists as the emphasis continues to focus on the laid back and mid tempo feel found on volume 1.

1970’s Nigeria was a time that allowed Nigerian bands more freedom to record their own style than ever before. Highlife, afrobeat, rock, jazz & native blues rubbed shoulders and were turned out at unprecedented levels. Nigeria Special 2 features five of the artists on the previous volume leaving space for a choice selection of some of the hundreds of other recording artists that were active in Nigeria at the time.

The CD is presented with a full colour 24-page booklet with nuggets of historical information and a background to the scene at the time. The triple LP comes with two exclusive bonus tracks, available only on vinyl.

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CD Track list:
1. Fubura Sekibo – Psychedelic Baby
2. Black’s’ Zenith – Shango Oba Onina
3. Twins Seven – Seven and His Golden Cabretas – Totobiroko (Ogbele)
4. The Professional Seagulls Dance Band of Port Harcourt – Ibi Awo Iyi
5. The Otarus – Omohupa
6. The Don Issac Ezekiel Combination – The Lords Prayer
7. James Etamobe & His All Weatther Band – Agboyabakpa
8. The People Star – Onwu Dinjo
9. Bola Johnson & His Easy Life Top Beats – Jeka Dubu
10. Emperor Dele Ojo & His Africana Internationals – Jekoyewa
11. Commander in Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers – Onyebu Chi
12. Paulson Kalu Afrikhanah & His Stars 25 – Ochea Special
13. Fidel Sax Bateke & The Voices of Darkness – Motako
14. Opotopo (Easy Kabaka Brown) – Agboho
15. Tunji Oyelana & The Benders – Iwo Ko La Dami
16. Etubom Rex Williams & His Nigerian Artistes – Isip 2
17. The Peacocks International Guitar Band – Onye Aghala Nwanneya
18. The Nkengas – Anyi Bundi Igbo
20. Joy Nwoso & Dan Satch – Egwo Umu Agbogho

LP Track list

Side 1 :
1. Fubura Sekibo – Psychedelic Baby
2. Black’s’ Zenith – Shango Oba Onina
3. Twins Seven – Seven and His Golden Cabretas – Totobiroko (Ogbele)
4. The Professional Seagulls Dance Band of Port Harcourt – Ibi Awo Iyi
5. The Otarus – Omohupa

Side 2
1. The Don Isaac Ezekiel Combination – The Lords Prayer
2. James Etamobe & His All Weatther Band – Agboyabakpa
3. The People Star – Onwu Dinjo
4. Bola Johnson & His Easy Life Top Beats – Jeka Dubu

Side 3
1. Emperor Dele Ojo & His Africana Internationals – Jekoyewa
2. Commander in Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigerian Sound Makers – Onyebu Chi
3. Paulson Kalu Afrikhanah & His Stars 25 – Ochea Special
4. Fidel Sax Bateke & The Voices of Darkness – Motako

Side 4
1. Opotopo (Easy Kabaka Brown) – Agboho
2. Eric Akaeze – Ajambene
3. Etubom Rex Williams & His Nigerian Artistes – Isip 2

Side 5
1. The Peacocks International Guitar Band – Onye Aghala Nwanneya
2. The Nkengas – Anyi Bundi Igbo
3. Joy Nwoso & Dan Satch – Egwo Umu Agbogho
4. Mary Afi Asuah – Ima Mma Nyem

Side 6
1. Tunji Oyelana & The Benders – Iwo Ko La Dami
2. The Ikenga Super Stars – Aku Nke Uwa

It was Fela Kuti and his musical and political ideals that formed the core of afrobeat’s message. Blending highlife, Yoruba music, funk and jazz, Fela dominated the musical tapestry of 1970s Nigeria and his influence in Nigeria and West Africa led to a craze where most of the bands of the day incorporated this new sound into their repertoires to satisfy the tastes of the audiences of the time. This compilation highlights some of those recordings that have, until now, not seen the light of day.

Appropriately, Fela’s highly sought after version of ‘Who’re you’ lends this set its lead. Originally released on 7” in 1971, It would later be re-recorded at Abbey Road for his album Fela’s London Scene and here is re-issued for the first time ever.

Set for release on 22nd February, Nigeria Afrobeat Special is released as a CD digipack and triple LP featuring five bonus tracks not available on the CD. Extensive liner notes are provided.

Download Nigeria Afrobeat Special from:

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CD Tack List:

1. Fela & The Africa 70 – Who’re you? (Original 45 Version)
2. Eric Showboy Akaeze & His Royal Ericos – We Dey Find Money
3. The Anansa Professionals – Enwan
4. Saxon Lee & The Shadows International – Mind Your Business
5. Bongos Ikwue & The Groovies – Otachikpopo
6. Orlando Julius & His Afro-Sounders – Afro-Blues
7. Bob Ohiri and his Uhuru Sounds – Ariwo Yaa
8. Mad Man Jaga – Hankuri
9. Godwin Omabuwa & His Casanova Dandies – Do The Afro Shuffle
10. Segun Bucknor’s Revolution – Gbomojo
11. The Black Santiagos – Ole

LP Track list

Side 1
1. Fela & The Africa 70 – Who’re you? (Original 45 Version)
2. Bongos Ikwue & The Groovies – Otachikpopo

Side 2
1. Orlando Julius & His Afro-Sounders – Afro-Blues
2. Saxon Lee & The Shadows International – Mind Your Business

Side 3
1. Eric Showboy Akaeze & His Royal Ericos – We Dey Find Money
2. Mad Man Jaga – Hankuri
3. The Nigerian Police Band ( “The Force 7”) – Mori Keke Kan

Side 4
1. Bob Ohiri and his Uhuru Sounds – Ariwo Yaa
2. The Anansa Professionals – Enwan
3. Godwin Omabuwa & His Casanova Dandies – Do The Afro Shuffle

Side 5
1. The Tony Benson Sextet – Shish Ke Bab
2. . Segun Bucknor’s Revolution – Gbomojo
3. The Black Santiagos – Ole

Side 6
1. Abiodun Bakare & His Kobi’s band – Nigeria
2. The Martins Brothers Dance Band – On Shakara O
3. The Sahara All Stars – World People

“Further showcasing the unique mix of the music if Panama”
Clash Music

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Track List

1. Lord Panama and The Stickers – Fire Down Below
2. Orquesta de Armando Boza con Manito Johnson – Samba Calypso
3. Papi Brandao y Sus Ejecutivos – Bilongo
4. Ceferino Nieto – El Pajaro Zum Zum
5. Little Francisco Greaves – Moving-Grooving
6. Los Silvertones – Up Tight
7. Orquesta Los Embajadores con Camilo Azuquita – Shingalin en Panama
8. Soul Apollo with Fredrick Clarke – Chombo Pa’ La Tienda
9. Amalia Delgado con El Conjunto Inspiracion Santena – Carretera Al Canajagua
10. Yin Carrizo – 20 de Enero en Ocu
11. Maximo Rodriguez y Las Estrellas Panamenas – Chevere Que Chevere
12. Ralph Weeks With The Telecasters – Gua Jazz
13. Panaswing – Me Lo Dijo Una Gitana
14. Beby Castor con Los Juveniles – Lloraras
15. Los Mozambiques – Llegamos Ya
16. Los Salvajes del Ritmo – St. John’s Guaguanco
17. Lord Cobra – Colón Colón
18. Conjunto Panama – Trigueñito y Solo
19. Black Czar – Bamboo Dance
20. Lord Cobra and His Sugar Tone Band – Partido Calpysonian
21. Sir Valentino con Combo Esclavos Alegres – Masters Are Gone
22. Los Invasores – El Raton
23. Los Silvertones – Carmen

Ghana Special represents nearly ten years of on-going research in and around the cities of Accra, Tema, Cape Coast, Takoradi and Kumasi, knocking on musician’s doors and visiting ex-distributors, DJs, collectors, manufacturers and shop owners who helped piece the story together.

The roots of this project goes back to a pair of albums named Ghana Soundz (Volumes 1 and 2), which focussed solely on the ‘funkier’ side of the same period. Alongside new artists and groups, some other works of the many musicians and producers Cleret met whilst researching those records are also included here. Many of these tracks have remained only in people’s memories or in collections of LPs that sit unplayed: until now of course.

Ghana Special comes as a double CD hardback case-bound book and 5LP vinyl box set. Both the CD and boxset features a booklet full of history, photographs and original record scans. The 5xLP boxset comes with bonus tracks, unavailable on the CD.

“Rare and glitteringly good”
The Guardian

“Little-heard music from the ’60s and ’70s now pours out of archives from Accra, Lagos and Cotonou….But this collection stands out.”
New York Times

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Track List

CD1.
1. The Mercury Dance Band – Kai Wawa
2. T. O. Jazz – Owuo Adaadaa Me
3. Christy Azuma & Uppers International – Din Ya Sugri
4. The Barbecues – Aaya Lolo
5. Asaase Ase – Ohiani Sua Efir
6. St. Peter & The Holymen – Bofoo Beye Abowa Den
7. City Boys Band – Nya Asem Hwe
8. Hedzoleh Soundz – Edinya Benya
9. The Cutlass Dance Band – HweHwe Mu Yi Mpena
10. Dr. K. Gyasi & His Noble Kings – Sei Nazo
11. Kyeremateng Atwede & The Kyeremateng Stars – I Go Die For You
12. Vis a Vis – Obi Agye Me Dofo
13. Ebo Taylor – Twer Nyame (excerpt)
14. The Big Beats – Mi Nsumõõ Bo Dõnn
15. Pa Steele’s African Brothers – Odo Mmera
16. The Ogyatanaa Show Band – You Monopolise Me

CD2
1. The African Brothers International Band – Wompe Masem
2. Gyedu-Blay Ambolley & His Creations – Akoko Ba
3. The Sweet Talks – Akampanye
4. Houghas Sorowonko – Enuanom Adofo
5. Oscar Sulley’s Nzele Soundz – Bukom
6. Bokoor Band – You Can Go
7. K. Frimpong & His Cubanos Fiestas – Kyenkyen Bi Adi M’Awu
8. Basa Basa Soundz feat. Fela Anikulapo Kuti – Dr. Solutsu
9. Pagadeja – Tamale
10. Hedzolleh Soundz – Omusus Da Fe M’musu
11. The Uhuru Dance Band – Yahyia Mu
12. Dr. K. Gyasi & His Noble Kings – Noble Kings (Yako Aba)
13. The Wellis Band – Bindiga
14. Boombaya – Boombaya
15. Sawaaba Soundz – Owuo
16. The Cutlass Dance Band – Them Go Talk Of You
17. Honny & The Bees Band – Sisi Mbon

Lilting biguines, heavy gwo ka drums and tumbélé rhythms collide with the sounds of the carnival. Haitian, Congolese and Puerto Rican influences are added to the pot in a percussive celebration of Afro-Caribbean spirit.

Martinique and Guadeloupe are overseas départements of France, situated in the Eastern Caribbean island chain of the Lesser Antilles. Successive waves of immigrants and a strong French colonial presence have combined to produce a strong musical culture that takes in African and latin rhythms alongside Jazz, calypso and the local biguine style.

Often overlooked in the English speaking Caribbean, the scattering drums and soaring clarinets of the biguine ruled the airwaves and dancefloors of Martinique and Guadeloupe in the 1960s.

This album showcases the vibrancy of the scene on the islands in the ‘60s and ‘70s – a scene that would go on to develop the all-conquering sound of zouk in the ‘80s. Uptown bands like Ensemble La Perfecta and Les Loups Noirs combine heavy rhythms and psychedelic effects in an inimitable style – check out the crazed Jet Biguine for a better idea! The deep and introspective sounds of Monsieur Dolor and Guadeloupean hero Robert Loison show the deep African roots of the music – songs born out of the plantations, with an insistent rhythm and mournful vocals that are unique to these islands.

Overlooked outside of Paris, Montreal and the French Caribbean for many years, this collection redresses the balance by presenting the vital sounds of Martinique and Guadeloupe – missing pieces of the musical jigsaw puzzle of the Caribbean.

“The music is a revelation”
MOJO

“The perfect primer for anyone looking for a new aspect to West Indian music beyond reggae and dub”
Clash Music

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Track List

1. Jeunesse Vauclin – Barel Coppet et Mister Lof
2. Jet Biguine – Les Loups Noirs D’Haïti
3. Pas O Soué La – Abel Zénon
4. Manzè Mona – Raphaël Zachille
5. Henri Te Vlé Mayé – Robert Mavounsy Quartet
6. La Vie Critique – L’Orchestre Jeunesse de Paul-Emile Haliar
7. Mussieu A Têt’a Poisson La – Orchestre Combo Zombi et Michel Yéyé
8. Oriza – Les Kings
9. Colas-la – Claude Rolcin et Le West Indian Combo
10. Ti Fi La Ou Té Madam’ – Anzala, Dolor, Vélo
11. D’Leau Coco – Les Leopards
12. Jojo – Ensemble La Perfecta
13. Dima Bolane – Le Ry-co Jazz
14. Edamise Oh! – Lola Martin
15. Chombo Meringue – Les Aiglons de Basse Terre
16. Son Tambou La – Les Gentlemens
17. Chonga – L’Ensemble Abricot
18. Fileo – Francisco
19. Panty – Monsieur Dolor et Les Guitar Boys
20. Jean Fouillé, Pie Fouillé – Robert Loison

Watch the video trailer for Panama!2 here.

“A dynamite snapshot of a musically-underrated nation.”
**** MOJO

“Panama!2 is a celebration of diversity, dancing and the fact that a small country can boast such massive talent.”
***** Songlines

CD Barcode: 893775001507
LP Barcode: 893775001514

Download the album here



Track list:

1. La Murga De Panama – Papi Brandao y Su Conjunto Aires Tablenos
2. Tamborito Swing – Los Silvertones
3. Flora – Maximo Rodriguez y Sus Estrellas Panameñas
4. Decidete Mi Amor – Papi Brandao y Sus Ejecutivos
5. Te Toca Tocar La Tumba – Skorpio
6. Descarga Superior – Los Superiores
7. No Llores Porque Me Voy – Idamerica Ruiz con Osvaldo Ayala y Su Conjunto
8. Mi Bella Panama – Los Revolucionarios (Soul Revolution)
9. Dreams (edit) – The Duncan Brothers
10. Ain’t No Sunshine – The Soul Fantastics
11. Ese Muerto No Lo Cargo Yo – The Exciters
12. La Confianza – Meñique El Panameño con Bush y Los Magnificos
13. Borombon – Camilo Azuquita
14. Jazzy – Los Papacitos
15. La Escoba – Alfredo y Su Salsa Montañera
16. Juck Juck Pt.1 – Sir Jablonsky
17. Love Letters – Lord Cobra y Los Hnos. Duncan
18. Ceferino En Salsa – Ceferino Nieto
19. Si La Vez – Ormelis Cortez con Su Conjunto Viva Guararé
20. Piculina – Chilo Pitty

BARCODE: 827565038626

OUT NOW

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Track List:

1. Kirikisi
2. Igboroho
3. Idogo
4. Egbe Natete
5. Edenederio
6. Obodo Eyo
7. Talking Instruments
8. Agho
9. Iye Iye Oh
10. Mother Witch – Shu’husu’hu
11. Atete
12. Ebibi
13. Osalobua Rekpama
14. Do Lelezi
15. Akuyan
16. Dododo
17. Madaka
18. Happy Day From Me To You
19. West African Safari

“Every song crackles with the thrill of plugging in, turning up the volume and trying something new.”
Guardian (UK)

BARCODE: 827565035922

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Track  List:

1. Ofege - Adieu
2. The Action 13 - More Bread to the People
3. The Hygrades - In the Jungle (Instrumental)
4. The Wings - Odenigbo
5. Ofo The Black Company -  Eniaro
6. The Elcados - Ku Mi Da Hankan
7. Mono Mono - Kenimania
8. Tabukah ‘X’ - Finger Toe
9. The Funkees - Acid Rock
10. Colomach - Cotocun Gba Gounke
11. Joe King Kologbo & His Black Sound - Another Man’s Thing
12. Question Mark - Freaking Out
13. Original Wings - Igba Alusi
14. Tunji Oyelana - Omoba D’Eru Ri
15. BLO - Chant To Mother Earth

“Afro Funk fans could have hardly asked for more.”
Pitchfork Media

Read the full review of the album on Pitchfork.

“This compilation keeps you shaking it deep and heavy.”
Exclaim Magazine (Canada)

BARCODE: 827565033423

Read a review of the album on Pitchfork.

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Track List:

1. The Sahara All Stars – Take Your Soul
2. T-Fire – Will of the People
3. Asiko Rock Group – Lagos City
4. Johnny Haastrup – Greetings
5. Bongos Ikwue & The Groovies – You’ve Gotta Help Yourself
6. Jay-U Experience – Some More
7. Voices of Darkness – Mota Ginya
8. Dr Adolf Ahanotu – Ijere
9. S-Job Movement – Love Affair

“A deep selection that yields more with each listen, this is recommended for aficionados and passing fans alike”
Songlines

Read Charlie Gillet’s review in the Observer Music Monthly

BARCODE: 827565029525

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Disc 1

1. The Anambra Beats – Ayamma
2. Celestine Ukwu & his Philosophers National – Okwukwe Na Nchekwube
3. The Don Isaac Ezekiel Combination – Amalinja
4. The Funkees – Akula Owu Onyeara
5. Dele Ojo & His Star Brothers Band – Oja Omoba
6. The Harbours Band – Koma Mosi
7. The Semi Colon – Nekwaha Semi Colon
8. Sir Victor Uwaifo & his Melody Masters – Osalobua Rekpama
9. St. Augustine & His Rovers Dance Band – Onwu Ama Dike
10. The Sahara All Stars of Jos – Feso Jaiye
11. Mono Mono – Ema Kowa Lasa lle Wa
12. Tunji Oyelana & The Benders – To Whom It May concern
13. The Tony Benson Sextet – Ugali

DISC 2

1. The Nigerian Police Force Band (“The Force 7”) –  Asiko Mi Ni
2. Godwin Ezike & The Ambassadors – Torri Wowo
3. Opotopo (Easy Kabaka Brown) – Belema
4. Dan Satch & His Atomic 8 Dance Band of Aba – Alabeke
5. Popular Cooper & His All Beats Band – Arraino
6. Collins Oke Elaiho & His Odologie Nobles Dance Band – Simini-Yaga
7. Bola Johnson & His Easy Life Top Beats – Buroda Mase
8. The Hykkers – I Want a Break Thru’
9. George Akaeze & His Augmented Hits – Business Before Pleasure
10. Shadow Abraham with Mono Mono Friends – Omo Yen Wu Mi
11. Leo Fadaka & The Heroes – Blak Sound
12. Osayomore Joseph and The Creative 7 – Eguae Oba
13. Etubom Rex Williams & His Nigerian Artistes – Akpaison