Review: Following 2012's fourth volume that celebrated the existential work of Tim Maia, here we find Luaka Bop exploring the legacy of William Onyeabor. A high chief and Kenyan diplomat who allegedly refuses to discuss his music, he self-released eight albums in the 70s and 80s and these are some of the many highlights. Stretching from the New York-influenced post-punk synth funk of "Good Name" to the most authentic Afro fusion of "Why Go To War", Onyeabor's range not only reflects his clear creative skill, but also the ever-developing international language of music during the fruitful period he was active. Who is William Onyeabor? Press play and find out yourselves...
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou Dahomey - "Minsato Le, Mi Dayihome"
Super Eagles - "Love's A Real Thing"
Moussa Doumbia - "Keleya"
Manu Dibango - "Ceddo End Title"
Sorry Bamba - "Porry"
Orchestra Number One De Dakar - "Guajira Ven"
William Onyeabor - "Better Change Your Mind"
Ofo & The Black Company - "Allah Wakbarr"
Gasper Lawal - "Awon-Oise-Oluwa"
Bunzu Sounds - "Zinabu"
Tunji Oyelana & The Benders - "Ifa"
Orchestre Regional De Kayes - "Sanjina"
Review: Back in 2005, the Luaka Bop and Stones Throw labels jointly issued World Psychedelic Classics 3: Love's A Real Thing - The Funky Fuzzy Sounds Of West Africa with the former releasing the CD edition and the latter a double LP version. As the elongated title suggests, the third edition of Luaka Bop's World Psychedelic Classic series swung the focus to West African music from the seventies and really opened people up to the psychedelic sounds of Manu Dibango, William Onyeabor, Gasper Lawal and a whole other host of artists from West Africa. Luaka Bop have evidently secured the rights for a vinyl reissue of the compilation, and anyone who indulged in their popular fifth volume focused on William Onyeabor will relish the opportunity to pick this up again.
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