Nigeria Disco Funk Special

Sweet Jesus, this is some funky s#*%! Asiko Rock Group’s “Lagos City” simply destroys, while Dr. Adolf Aonotu’s “Ijere” twists your gourd. Montreal Mirror

At first glance from a non-African point of view Lagos may not seem like a very multicultural place, but it is home not only to people from all over Nigeria but also from the whole of the African continent. This is often the case with great musical cities - the industry and opportunity that brings people from far and wide becomes the catalyst for enjoyment that becomes a necessity in a place where you may be far from home - think Havana, New Orleans, Brazzaville, Kinshasa, Kingston, Cartagena, Port of Spain, Dakar, Rio, the list goes on. Lagos and the cities of Nigeria were no exception. In the late 1970s Lagos became synonymous in West Africa as a city that could make you or break you. It was a place where most things were possible, a massive, hot, heaving, gargantuan metropolis that could also show you one hell of a time if you knew where to look. Its nightlife was legendary - the suburbs of Ikeja, Yaba & Surulere, had reputations as places to head for a good night out but also where you should watch your back. The musical backdrop to this scene was diverse. There was the legendary Shrine club of Fela Kuti and his afrobeat, the Juju of Sunny Ade, highlife, imported rumba & soukous in the French speaking quarters, and of course funk, soul & disco. In a city as big and forward thinking as Lagos imported music from America was integral. Style and fashion were also key factors (Nigerians priding themselves on both), and so naturally funk and disco music was shipped over in huge quantities. These nine tracks show how that music was mirrored and adapted by Nigerians from all over the country and by non-Nigerians that called Lagos their home (T-fire, The Voices of Darkness, & The Asiko Rock Group). Deep, heavy and as funky as anything that arrived from overseas it rocked the dancefloors of Lagos, Aba, Jos, Onitsha , Port Harcourt & Ibadan every weekend.

The Sahara All Stars of Jos - Take Your Soul (Instrumental)
Take Your Soul is lifted from their second album, which featured two long afrobeat tracks, a reggae cut and this solid mid-tempo funk instrumental. The Sahara all Stars were from Jos in the north of the country, and hell could they play! Check the drumming towards the end

The Voices of Darkness - Mota Ginya (Ewondo)
The Voices of Darkness were originally from Douala in French Cameroon. They moved to Lagos and split up, later reforming with the Nigerians Dennis Kennett & Emmanuel Ovo. They made one LP and a string of 45s - often backing other singers like Chuck Barrister.

Asiko Rock Group - Lagos City (Instrumental)
The Asiko Rock Group were an unknown band comprising of mostly French-speaking West Africans from along the coast and a handful of Nigerians. From their only LP - a popular DJ record that sold well along with LPs like C.S Crew’s Funky Pack.

T-Fire - Will of the People (English)
Themba Matabese was a South African guitarist living in Lagos. He formed his T-fire band in 1977 and picked the best there was to join him - Igo Chiko on tenor sax, Tunde Williams on trumpet, Lekan Animashaun on baritone sax (all three at one time from Fela’s Africa 70 band), Mike Collins on Drums and Mono Mono’s Kenneth Okulolo on bass. This is from his second album.

SJOB Movement - Love Affair (English)
SJOB movement were a band of Yoruba speaking EMI session men that got together to record. Their name was, like the band BLO, made up of the letters of their first names - Samuel Abiloye Esse, Johnnie Woode Olimmah, Ottay Hima Blackie & Bola Prince. Their first LP A Move in The Right Direction was a hit nationwide but their second album from which Love Affair was taken was not such a big seller, being slightly less rock influenced.