Music And Arts Scene
African Records Review
By Kwabena Asamoah
CHIEF COMMANDER EBENEZER OBEY & HIS INTER-REFORMERS BAND: 'Solution' (STERNS 1005) 'Gbebe Mi' 'Olupese' 'Ma Kukusise' 'OluwaNi Mo Gbojule'/'To Ba Nwa Ire' 'O Dowo Oluwa' 'Kaiye Ma Bere Pe Olorun Mi Da' 'Diro Mo' 'WAI'.
Mention juju music and the name that comes into mind are Chief Obey and King Sunny Ade even though there are others who are closely following in their footsteps. These two chief expon- ents of juju music have distinctive individual styles of 'systems' - Ade has synchro system and Obey, miliki system which is a dance rhythm within the juju music form.After flirting with other recording companies including Virgins, Chief Obey has also been cast into the steadily growing net of Sterns who have already released four other African albums and are set to release their debut hit single by Hi-Life International- the band of the moment - in two weeks' time.
Juju music is built on a strong rhythm section mostly at the expense of individual solo work. But 'Solution' is an entirely different medley of beautiful music - the first of its kind. The monotony arising out of repetition associated with this type of music by way of heavy dependence on rhythm has been completely eliminated out of this album. Though concentrating on certain solutions notably war against indiscipline (WAI) to the problems of Nigeria, where Chief Obey comes album. from, the music will definitely reach a wider audience due to its polyrhythm, synchronisation of multi-purpose instruments and uncluttered array of individual solos.
A word of advice: the tracks on side one are meant for side two and vice versa on both the back of the sleeve and on the record an unfortunate oversight by Sterns.
Listening to the entire album, the polished arrangements of Chief Obey will hit you and the vocal harmony throughout will satisfy apart from the messages delivered by the talking drums. On balance, side two has more to offer in its initial approach, beautiful guitar licks and lyrical expression. At certain points in the middle, the drum kit and the synthesizer impose a funkish beat onto an otherwise flat music. What will strike you is the hypnotic guitar solos (sometimes even jazzy or bluesy) - the first I've heard in juju music - that are definitely meant to transform juju music for the better.
The only regret (not exactly regret) about such non-stop medleys is that DJ's find it cumbersome to spot particular tracks for airplay. Chief Obey, a master of solutions, will definitely find a solution for this in his next album if he wants airplay for his good music. You have no excuse to shun this new album.
LES VETERANS: 'Me Ne Ngon Oya' (SOCADRA TC 0001) 'Si Ndon' 'Kula (la tortue)'/'Jeannine 'Ze Manga'
As their name suggests, les Veterans might have been in the music game for a long time, but they are not the first African musicians to escape notice outside Africa until recently. Cameroon has produced Manu Dibango, Toto Guillaume and others but les Veterans have also come quite far with this album.Soukous might not necessarily be a Zairean music form per se but Zaireans were the first to have made a breakthrough with this rhythm; and there is some distinctive feel about their soukous which outsiders are not able to express adequately in music apart from the linguistic and vocal beauty. Les Veterans have, however, come closer in reality in 'Si Ndon' and 'Ze Manga'. In both tracks they employ their skill to produce good harmonies.
The chorus in 'Si Ndon' is attractive and the guitar solos will more than convince together with the emotion attached to the singing. Unlike their style in 'Si Ndon', les Veterans begin 'Ze Manga' with a rhumba beat before quickly going into soukous just like the majority of Zaireans. All the instruments are alive and alert especially the drums and the horns which give a different twist to the already beautiful music. In the frenzy the conga throws in punches to close off a beautiful album.
Not allowing themselves to be carried away by soukous, les Veterans devote two tracks to their native bikutsi music form. The guitars and the strong bass line especially at the beginning of 'Jeannine' combine to release a certain particular rhythm to this good 'village' music that is pure and traditional. The rhythm builds up effectively throughout the track to ease off one's tight feet. The mood and the rhythm are continued in Kulyu (la torture)' which might translate as the tortoise. In both tracks les Veterans try to reach a wider audience without necessarily sacrificing the pure 'village' sound. The vocal call-and-answer propped by the xylophone sound leads the way for the short horns arrangements that will definitely please dancers and listeners alike. The frenzy not only carries away the dancer but also the lead singer who raps in his local dialect. Try it.
