Category Archives: Highlife

Tuesday December 29, 2020

Oliver de Coque and his Expo ’76
in the U.S.A. , Nke Nakpa Onye
Afrodisia / Ogene Records 1988

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Ik kreeg gisteren de smaak weer te pakken met die fijne
Oliver de Coque plaat. Meestal doe ik het niet maar voor
de gelegenheid nog eentje vandaag. In 1988 nam Afrodisia
dit album op in de Verenigde Staten van Amerika. Samen
met Ogene Records brachten ze hem uit. Hij heeft wel wat
krasjes maar speelt toch nog lekker. Special thanks gaan
o.a. uit naar King Sunny Adé en Chief Commander Ebe-
nezer Obey. Ik weet niet waarvoor, weet jij het ?

Yesterday I really got in the mood with Oliver de Coque
and that fine record. It is not my habbit to do another
straight away but for the opportunity an exception.
In 1988 Afrodisia recorded this album in the United
States. They released it together with Ogene Records.
It has a few scratches but still plays okay. Special thanks
go out to King Sunny Adé and Chief Commander Ebenezer
Obey among others. I have no idea for what. Do you ?

01 – Oliver de Coque in U.S.A.
—- Ogene makossa
02 – Nke nakpa onye
—- Uwa ozulu onye

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Monday December 28, 2020

Oliver de Coque and his Expo ’76
Ogen Sound Super of Africa
Opportunity, Olumo 1982

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It has been over nine years since we had us an album with
Oliver de Coque and his Expo ’76 Ogene Sound Super of
Africa. Today he returns here at the Global Groove in this
last week of 2020. His real name was Oliver Sunday Akanite,
he made some 93 records. de Coque was taught to play
guitar by a Congolese named Picolo when still very young.
He also was one of the musicians who played on Prince
Nico Mbarga’s famous ‘Sweet Mother’ album. Oliver de
Coque was called Oliver de Coke, Oliver de Fanta,
Messiah of Ogene or Oliver de Identity
(one of his greatest hits)

Het is alweer meer dan negen jaar geleden dat we een van
zijn platen hadden. In deze laatste week van 2020 is Oliver
de Coque and his Expo ’76 Ogene Sound Super of Africa
terug bij de Global Groove. Zijn echte naam was Oliver
Sunday Akanite, hij maakte zo’n 93 albums. de Coque
leerde al op zeer jonge leeftijd gitaar spelen van een
Congolees genaamd Picolo die in Nigeria woonde.
Hij was ook een van de muzikanten op het beroemde
‘Sweet Mother’ album van Prince Nico Mbarga. Oliver
de Coque werd ook wel Oliver de Coke, Oliver de Fanta,
Messiah of Ogene of Oliver de Identity genoemd.
(Identity was een van zijn grootste hits)

Ogene King of Africa 1984
Udoka Social Club of Nigeria 1981
I Salute Africa 1979
Identity 1980
Jomo Kenyatta 1979
My Woman 1986
Engirigbo 1987
Onye Aghana Nwanne Ya 1982
Anyi Cholu Uwa Silili Welele 1983
Messiah 1976
Ife Chi Kwalu Geme (Sound Ogene) 1978
Oje Mba Ewilo 1977
Mark 2 1977
Wikipedia
Discogs

01 – Opportunity
02 – Ajuju ajighi ama agbaba
03 – Ezinifite star united club of nigeria
—- Oganiru kasinma

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Sunday December 27, 2020

Muddy Ibe and his Nkwa Brothers System
Nkwa, Cordos Records 1981

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Remember Captain Muddy Ibe ? With his Igbo highlife group
the Nkwa Brothers System he made some nice albums. This
one comes from 1981, is a little bit crackly and side two sounds
quite messy. Still, the music is interesting enough to go through
this. I hope to find a better copy some fine day. Until then we’ll
have to settle with this one. Listen and make up your own mind ..
Includes one bonus track !

Herrinner je je Captain Muddy Ibe nog ? Met zijn Igbo highlife
band the Nkwa brothers System maakte hij een aantal mooie
platen. Deze is uit 1981, enigszins krakerig en kant twee klinkt
rommelig. De muziek zelf is daarentegen interessant genoeg
om er eens naar te luisteren. Ik hoop op een mooie dag eens
een betere versie te vinden. Tot die tijd moeten we het
hiermee doen. Luister en kijk wat jij ervan vindt ..
Inclusief een bonus track !

Ndi Kwena Ndi Ekwena 1986
“83” 1983
African and Black History
Discogs
Holland Tunnel Dive

01 – Anyi ma ndi bu ndi
02 – Nne chalu ka nma
03 – United peoples social club of nigeria
04 – Onye enenina ibey

Bonus track

05 – Iga edu uzo kpelo azu

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Friday December 11, 2020

Odani Dance Band of Africa
led by Regge Fancy
Odec Brothers Ltd. 1991

Reply

A rare one today. Nothing seems to be available when searching
for information about this group. The only one you find on Ecrater
is the one I have here. from 1991 and led by Regge Fancy we have
the Odani Dance Band. The actual vinyl is in good condition and
plays exactly as it was meant to be. Enjoy listening ..

01 – Njo adimma
02 – Kalio chuku
03 – Ndokwa ghana
04 – Ezhioyi club

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Thursday December 3, 2020

D.A. Ogbebor and his Super Sound of Nigeria
Shanu Olu, sos 208

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Op het Shanu Olu label vinden we deze plaat met D.A. Ogbebor
and his Super Sound of Nigeria. Een highlife registratie waarover
behalve de Discogs notering niet veel te vinden is. Nogal toegan-
kelijk album, lekker mellow en luistert prettig weg ..

On the Shanu Olu label we find this record with D.A. Ogbebor
and his Super Sound of Nigeria. A highlife registration on which,
except for a Discogs notation, not much information is available.
Quite accessible, mellow and easy listening on this one ..

Discogs

01 – Agbejie-ero-osiomwan
02 – Osudo
03 – Amievbire
04 – Ukhuegbemwenoyemwen

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Tuesday November 10, 2020

Professor Richard Ugiagbe and
his Afro Ministers Band – Vol. 3
Shanu Olu Records 1978

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Steeds dieper duikend in de Nigeriaanse highlife uit de Etsakor
regio vinden we vandaag deze plaat met Professor Richard
Ugiagbe. Hij verschijnt op het Shanu Olu label en stamt uit
1978. De sound van Richard Ugiagbe is niet zo donker als
die van veel stijlgenoten maar helder en toegankelijk.
Veel elpees uit die buurt en tijd zijn slecht en bekrast,
deze daarentegen speelt mooi en klinkt dito ..

Diving deeper in the Nigerian highlife from the Etsakor region
today we find this album with Professor Richard Ugiagbe. It
came out on the Shanu Olu label and is from the year 1978.
Richard Ugiagbe’s sound is not as dark as that of many time
and style buddies but is bright and accessible. Many of the
records from that time and area are in bad state and
scratchy, this one however plays and sounds nice ..

01 – Iruenwiense
02 – Ovbiye
03 – Nagbare
04 – Aituayemwangbon

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Sunday November 8, 2020

Professional Uhuru Dance Band
Uhuru Special Highlife Numbers
Decca 1970

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Yesterday we had Ebo Taylor’s first solo album. One of the groups
Ebo started his career in was the Uhuru Dance Band. The band was
formed by members of the Broadway Dance Band. According to
Discogs this was the first of their albums from 1971 called ‘Uhuru
Special Highlife Numbers’. Label says 1970 btw. I am not sure if Ebo
Taylor is part of the band on this here record. Maybe one of you
knows .. please share your knowledge with us ..

Gisteren hadden we de eerste solo elpee van Ebo Taylor. Één van
de bands waarin Ebo zijn carrière begon was de Uhuru Dance Band.
Deze werd gevormd door leden van de Broadway Dance Band. Vol-
gens Discogs was dit hun eerste plaat uit 1971 genaamd ‘Uhuru
Special Highlife Numbers’. Volgens het label is het 1970. Ik weet
eerlijk gezegd niet of Ebo Taylor hier ook van de partij was. Mis-
schien weet één van jullie het en wil je het met ons delen ..

Discogs

01 – Mensu koraa
02 – Eyaa duom
03 – Betu me ho awow
04 – Odo kor akyer
05 – Me nhuhu ma obi nkeka
06 – Konkomba medley
07 – Bo me nantsew
08 – Sunkwa
09 – Kwantema
10 – Onyame bekyere
11 – Medzi me sigya
12 – Ali wuo

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Saturday November 7, 2020

Ebo Taylor – My Love and Music
Gapophone 1976

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click on it

For the lovers of funky highlife or afrobeat we’ve got us
this album with Ebo Taylor. Ebo started his career in the
late fifties working with The Stargazers, the Broadway Dance
Band and the Uhuru Dance Band. Later collaborated with Fela
Kuti, Pat Thomas and C.K. Mann. Always blending Ghanaian
highlife with jazz and funk. This is his 1976 album ‘My Love and
Music’ which is listed as his first at Discogs. Enjot listening ..

Liefhebbers van funky highlife en afrobeat kunnen hun hart
ophalen met deze plaat van Ebo Taylor. Ebo begon zijn muzikale
leven werkend met de Stargazers, the Broadway Dance Band en
de Uhuru Dance Band in de late jaren vijftig. Later wekte hij o.a.
met Fela Kuti, Pat Thomas en C.K. Mann. Altijd Ghanese highlife
vermengend met jazz en funk. Dit is zijn 1976 album ‘My Love
and Music’ welke op Discogs staat aangegeven als zijn eerste
solo plaat. Luister weer met plezier ..

Twer Nyame 1977/78
C.K. Mann & the Masters, Womma Yengor
C.K. Mann & his Carousel 7, Funky Highlife 1975
C.K. Mann & Kofi Yankson, Together 1977
African Highlife, Various Artists 1964
Stars of Ghana, Various Artists 1982
Akom Ko, Various Artists 1976
Highlife Hits, Various Artists
Stars of West Africa, Various Artists 1961
Hi-Lifes You Have Loved vol. 1, Various Artists 1972
Wikipedia
Discogs

01 – Odofo nyi akyiri biara
02 – Will you promise
03 – Maye omama
04 – My love and music

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Saturday October 24, 2020

Gentleman Mike Ejeagha & his Premier Dance Band
Jaa’m Mma Na Ndu, Polydor 1983

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Another delightful album with Gentleman Mike Ejeagha.
The man under who’s guidance a great artist like Celestine Ukwu
started his career. Mike’s music is very relaxed, his
Igbo lyrics concern stories about daily matters. He is told
to have contributed over 300 recordings to the National
Archives of Nigeria. Get it & spread it ..

Ugo Mma 1982
Akuko Negwu vol. 3 1985
Onye Mkpesa 1987
Akuko Negwu vol. 2 1984
Akuko Negwu Original vol. 1 1983
V.A. African Music 1983
Celestine Ukwu posts
Last.fm
Wiki
Discogs

01 – Jaa’m mma na ndu
02 – Okwu aburo nni

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Wednesday October 7, 2020

Bestman Doupere & his Coastal Pioneer
Dance Band of Nigeria
Felix Record FRLP 16

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Some more Nigerian highlife today with Bestman Doupere
and his Coasta Pioneer Dance Band of Nigeria. A mouthful
of name. Just two songs, one per side. It is mellow and easy
going, so easy they forgot a letter ‘l’ in the sleeve name.
One way or the other, solid listening with Bestman Doupere ..

Enama La-Ye Pa 1988
Discogs

01 – Amene yerin kenimiwerimi
02 – Abakumor

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Saturday September 19, 2020

The Owigiri Originator
Professor I.K. Belemu and
his Exponents of Nigeria
Kalaofiogbene/Adekagbene Special
Nnadi & Sons Record Stores 1990

Reply

Nigerian highlife comes in all kinds of forms under various names.
Professor I.K. Belemu brings us this album from 1990 and called it
‘Ijaw Highlife’. He performed under a bunch of different names,
take a look at his page on Discogs to see them all. As far as Discogs
is complete, this must be the only record with ‘his Exponents of
Nigeria’. Owigiri is another term we see passing by on his albums.
if you know more about it, please enlighten us ..

Nigeriaanse highlife komt in vele vormen en soorten. professor I.K.
Belemu brengt ons dit album uit 1990 en noemt het ‘Ijaw Highlife’.
Hij verscheen onder een hele rij verschillende namen, kijk eens op
Discogs om ze allemaal te zien. Voor zover Discogs compleet is,
zou dit de enige plaat zijn met ‘his Exponents of Nigeria’. Owigiri
is een andere term die we op zijn platen veel zien voorbij komen.
Als jij er meer van weet, vertel ons er dan iets over ..

Discogs

01 – Kalaofiogbene/Adekagbene special
02 – Eye emo beinge mo
03 – Egebu

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