Odion Iruoje aka “Sound President” was one of Nigeria's top producers in the 1970s and early '80s and credited as being the man who signed Fela Kuti to EMI Nigeria and the guy who produced all of Fela’s revolutionary early material from 1970-73. “Ikebe”, an African highlife boogie-funk killer, came out on Iruoje’s only solo recording, “Down To Earth”. Released on Iruoje's own label, Odion Ltd, in 1983, “Down To Earth” was only ever distributed in small quantities. In 2016 Soundway reissued “Down To Earth”, limited to 1.000 copies.
 
Fusing West African funk and highlife guitar riffs with jazzy grooves and unique Nigerian vocals, “Ikebe” is a go-to body mover that warms up every dancefloor.

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Odion Iruoje - Ikebe (JH Edit)

In 1984 Shina Williams & His African Percussionists dropped the Nigerian disco funk bomb “Agboju Logun” presenting a rolling percussion beat paired with a unresistable groovy bassline. 

One who depends on inheritance offers themselves up to poverty, so goes the Yoruba proverb “Agboju Logun”. Shina Williams & his band of funksters reflect on that pearl of wisdom in this ace African disco groover. With a rockin’ Afrobeat backbone, it’s one of the best examples of Lagos’ fertile, cross-cultural scene in the 1970s. 

Even in the early 80’s the genius of this track was recognized as it was compiled on the ‘Fresh n Up’ album released in the UK by Jungle Rhythm along with some hip hop and electro tracks. The original on Earthworks is not easy to track down, but Strut comp’d it back in 2001 on “Nigeria 70 (The Definitive Story of 1970's Funky Lagos)”.

Shina Williams & His African Percussionists - Agboju Logun (JH Edit)

Hlabalaza - a wicked proto-kwaito club jam by rarely known The Bees from South-Africa. Released on the band's debut album "She's A Witch" on On Records in 1988, Hlabalaza combines a funky groove with some outstanding instrumental solos and leaves you no choice but to move your body.

The Bees - Hlabalaza (CM Edit)

In 2012 Shadow aka The Mighty Shadow aka Winston Anthony Bailey was decorated with the Order of the British Empire for his services in music. His grandfather always wanted him to become a lawyer but thanks to the Trinidadian calypsonian's grandson-disobidiance we are blessed today with his rich 70s and 80s discography.

D Hardest is a 4-to-the-floor soca heater originally released on Shadow's "Wake-Up" LP in 1980 on Charlie's Records. Soak in this uplifting calypso groove spiked with some dadaesque JH vocals and get hypnotised by a fat driving b-line and crazily beautiful strings!

Shadow - D Hardest (JH Dada Edit)

Oby Onyioha is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. She was born in Lagos and brought up in the eastern part of Nigeria. Her father was the Head of the Godian Religion. With its message of universal unity and its philosophy of “biri ka’m biri” (live and let live), Godaism seeks to bring harmony among the people of different religions in spite of their diversities. 

Raised in this philosophy, Oby Onyioha first burst onto the Nigerian music scene in 1981 with the album “I Want To Feel Your Love” (Time Records Nigeria) which was named after her hugely successful single of the same title and also includes the two-stepping, finger snapping song “Enjoy Your Life”, with classic strings and freedom love themed lyrics making it a motivational anthem one cannot resist to dance on. The debut album was a huge success and took the Nigerian music scene by storm, at a time when disco music was considered the exclusive domain of western artists.

Oby Onyioha - Enjoy Your Life (JH Edit)

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