Osadebe encore

There is always room for one more album by the consistent highlife king, Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe. This one, from 1981, has all the usual ingredients (see older posts, here, here, here and here): something about a social club, including the naming of all the board members, recited steadily by Osadebe, with sung interruptions, spacious spatial guitars occasionally shifting from left to right (and back), the evolution of rhythmic patterns, gradually leading to a trancelike state, a sense of well-being*, perhaps even extasy (try dancing...), followed by blissful satisfaction.
With this in mind it is easy to understand the Chief's smile on the back of the sleeve.

Added bonus on this album is the repetition on the B-side of one of my favourite tracks from his 1970s repertoire. You may remember "Onu Kwulunjo" from "Festac Explosion 77 Vol.2". On that lp the song only lasts 4'31; here it goes on for more than 14 minutes. On the downside I have to add that the sound quality of the earlier lp is significantly better, - and not only as a result of a better state of the vinyl.

Polydor POLP 056



* I was nearly tempted to write "wellness", but luckily managed to control myself... (phew)

Osumenyi

Temperaturewise I don't think it is a good time to post this record, - or at least in this part of the world. This lp is more suited for a sweaty tropical evening, relaxing with friends after a good meal. In the village of Osumenyi, in the Nnewi South region of Anambra State in south-eastern Nigeria, perhaps....

I can just imagine the scene: Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe and his Nigeria Sound Makers International have been invited to entertain at the Freedom Social Club. All the right people are there. Osadebe, himself a native from Anambra State and born in Atani, is politely greeting the functionaries of the club, who in return, at the mention of their name and the recognition of their importance, discreetly - but nevertheless sufficiently open - hand the national artist the equivalent of a month's salary of one of the waiters who are inobtrusively serving the gathered dignitaries. The music is pleasant and all the guests are happy and content.

Later in the evening, there is room for a dance, - a merengue even. Osadebe style, of course. So the ladies can show off their dancing skills without making a fool of themselves. Halfway down the song changes pace, and even the elder members of the club can't help themselves and are bending their knees at the rhythm. Even the royal visitors invited for this special occasion are on the dancefloor now. Osadebe points at the guitarist who carefully guides the by now wildly dancing mass into a state of musical bliss.

Doctor of Hypertension?
Yes.

Polydor POLP 092, 1982

Underpimped

I have been listening a lot to "Sound Time", a CD containing re-mastered masterpieces by the - unfortunately late - consistent highlife king, Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe. And although the collection is recommendable and very enjoyable when travelling to work, I can't help feeling it is also a bit 'overpimped'.

So I have rummaged about in my archives, and have dusted off some more of the (many) lp's I bought at Stern's when they were still a little corner shop in Whitfield Street, and were desperate to get rid of the flood of Osadebe albums clogging their stocks. I was glad to come to the rescue at the time, and actually even regret not buying more.

Here is one from 1982, in an authentic, underpimped state. "Onye Ije Anatago" is one the many albums with just two tracks. Tracks that gradually evolve. A musical voyage with Osadebe as our tour guide, drawing our attention to the sights. My favourite part of this album is the break after 11 minutes on side B, - but not because of the drums, but rather for the almost obvious - but complete - change of rhythm.

There is more to come....

POLP 074

Festac Explosion (Vol.1)

In case you are wondering: I have plenty more in store this weekend. So I want to get this one out of the way (so to speak).

I was inspired not just by a request after the post of the second volume, but also by the post on Highlife Haven of another great Osadebe album and the posting of some older tracks on Likembe. Keep it coming, folks!

I will certainly post some more in the future.

Here is Festac Explosion Vol.1.

EDIT December 28, 2010: I've uploaded the file to another server.
EDIT May 2, 2013: I've uploaded an improved version to yet another server!!

The consistent highlife king

To me Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe has always been just that: the consistent highlife king. I mean, you can buy any of his albums. They are all great.

My first lp of the -unfortunately late- chief was cleverly disguised as the work of the 'People Star'. It took me a while to find out who this master of mental massage really was.
By then I had already found the first volume too.

I have never understood why the albums are called Festac Explosion 77. They were recorded four years earlier in 1973. It is suggested that the release under a different name was due to "a licensing or copyright dispute", or that this record is a 'pirate' record. There may be a link with the departure in 1973 of members of Osadebe's orchestra to form the Ikenga Super Stars.

But who cares, - after listening to this?

EDIT (June 15, 2013): I've removed the dead link...