Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds and Nigerian Blues 1970-6
Various Artists
Soundway, 2007
Nigeria Special is an extraordinary collection of deeply organic, funky, danceworthy sounds from a highpoint in Nigeria's musical history, the fertile period from 1970-1976. This two CD set combines the more traditional highlife music with the then brand-new Afrobeat fusion of African and Western rock and jazz elements pioneered by Fela Kuti.
Beautifully packaged with vintage design that perfectly matches the flavor of the music, Nigeria Special also include a wonderful, thick booklet that features full-color pictures of vintage record covers, band photos and extensive liner notes.
This record has power enough to get even an old curmudgeon like myself up and dancing around the apartment. Truly first-rate. I'm guessing that fans of African music will find, few, if any, finer compilations than Nigeria Special. Some highlights? Opotopo's "Belema" and The Hykkers idiosyncratic psyche guitar workout on "I Want A Break Thru". Wow!
