Music And Arts Scene
African Records Review
By Kwabena Asamoah
SEGUN ADEWALE: 'Ojo Je' (STERNS 1009)
"Ojo Je' 'Bobo Gbe Mi Like'/'Atewo- Lara Ka Tepa Mo 'Se' 'E Ma Fi Ile Iwe Sere'
Juju music came to Europe and other places via Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey and the younger Segun Adewale whose debut European LP - Adewale Play For Me (STERNS 1003) - caused a lot of stir in the heat of last year. The much-awaited 'Ojo Je' is a vibrant follow-up which puts Nigerian juju music once again on the map of African music.Both sides of the album contain infectious rhythms neatly arranged for consumption both in and out of Nigeria. The B-side has already been released on an earlier album this year in Nigeria where it received a tremendous public response. How lucky we are then to have it here in Europe and elsewhere!
Like most juju songs, 'Ojo Je' and the other tracks are built on strong and intricate rhythms mostly at the expense of individual solo work except the ever-popular talking drums. The guitar licks are not only subtle but expressive. The exception to this is in 'Atewo Lara Ka Tepa Mo 'Se' where Segun Adewale's guitar leads us into a beautiful area of African music.
The appearances in and around London of Segun Adewale and his 19-piece band last month threw enough expectation into the quality of this new LP which has been selling pretty well. Let us not forget that Segun is a show- man on stage whose music transfers beautifully onto record. This brand new album is only a confirmation of this fact.
On balance, this LP should do better than Adewale Play For Me for the awareness of non-Africans to the vibrant music of Africa and for the poignant sounds that emanate from individual instruments. Consider the guitar solo of Segun in 'E Ma Fi Ile Iwe Sere'; it is merely a reproduction of 'Anyan Hye W'Enyiwa Mu' recorded by Ghana's Stargazers Band.
FIDEL ZIZI: 'Oyo Mobali Sans Maniere' (FP 001)
'Oyo Mobali Sans Maniere' 'Belesa'/ 'Poto Sangana' 'Lutadila'
The echoes from Fidel Zizi's Ma Musique a Moi have hardly died down and bang! comes another nice LP by one of the fast selling Congolese artists in Paris. Zizi is noted for his 'Maguy Cheirie' which sold pretty well some three years ago in Paris and other European centres. Oyo Mobali Sans Maniere is likely to enter the hot race for supremacy on the African charts for the simple guitar licks and har- monious vocals guaranteed by Tchico, Passy Jo and other 'officiers'.The slow build-up of 'Oyo Mobali. Sans Maniere' with the throbbing bass and hypnotic guitar works of Master, Rigo and Dally Kimoko launch the track into eternal sweetness. The lead vocal sounds magnificent while the brassy joint of the orchestration completes the successful story of the track. I cannot imagine people sitting down while this track spins off.
The Cuban influences in Fidel Zizi's music come out abundantly in the horns section in 'Oyo Mobali Sans Maniere' and 'Belesa' itself is completely Latin American both in beat and arrangement but draws on the African origin of Latin American music. Of course, the music is superb. The B-side also carries many interesting moments especially in 'Poto Sangana' where Passy Jo, fantastic Tchico and the 'guitar gang' enjoy themselves with listeners with good vocals and dance. The gentle build-up of the intro in 'Poto Sangana' is only a characteristic approach of Congolese music which suddenly graduates into animated sounds. Don't miss this LP if you see it.
AFRO HOT CHART
1. LES OFFICIERS ATTAQUENT Les Officers (MCL) Zaire2. OTITO (THE TRUTH) Sunny Ade (SALPS) Nigeria
3. IL Y A UN SOLEIL Nya Soleil (MROL) Cameroon
4. BEYOUNA Youlou Mabiala (TCHIKA) Congo
5. OYO MOBALI SANS MANIERE Fidel Zizi (FIDEYLIS)Congo
6. OYE ODO Pat Thomas/Ebo Taylor (DAN) Ghana
7. PLAYS BROADWAY & UHURU Redcap James (AFROBOOM) Ghana
8. THE PHENOMENAL Souzy Kasseya (EARTHWORKS) Zaire
9. AFRISA SELECTION Tabu Ley Rochereau (STERNS) Zaire
10. MAKWANDUNGU Bopol Mansiamina (BM TINA) Zaire
11. MR. MUSIC Thomas Mapfumo (EARTHWORKS) Zimbabwe
12. OJO JE Segun Adewale (STERNS) Nigeria
13. GO SOUTH Various Artists (EARTHWORKS)Zimbabwe
14. LE SENTIMENTAL Daouda (STERNS) Ivory Coast
15. LITTLE ANGEL Tony Sarfo (PMA) Ghana
Chart courtesy of AFROBOOM RECORDS, 135 Clarence
Road, London E5 8EE (Mail Order & Distribution only).
