OJ Ekemode began recording in Nigeria in the mid-1960s, and by fusing local rhythms with the international musical influences flowing through Africa at the time – Cuban, funk, jazz, soul - he helped lay the foundation for Afrobeat. While Fela Kuti and Tony Allen built and expanded on that foundation in Nigeria, OJ became Afrobeat's ambassador, living in various places and always, always, creating.
Dance Afro-Beat was recorded in Nigeria, but released in the US on Ekemode's Afro-Beat Records label, and soon after picked up and distributed by Shanachie Records. Today's offering is from an album acquired while the ink was still wet. Unfortunately some of my Nigerian album collection suffered some water damage, a few years ago, and several record sleeves were ruined. Luckily no harm was done to the vinyl, and after using a vacuum record cleaner, the sound is as good as new. I apologize for the album art; I gleaned it from the web, where images of the Shanachie release are easy to find.
Yesterday's mail brought me Super Afro-Soul and Orlando Julius and the Afro Sounders, both impressively packaged releases packed with photos of and information about this extraordinary talent. You can click on their images to find them.
6 comments:
cool! i too used to dance to o.j at the ashkenaz back in the day. i used to have this lp and probably traded it in, while converting my collection to cds (bad move, but that's another story...)
i'm thrilled to hear this again, thanks!
Maybe we danced together? You are very welcome for this great record. I have Sisi Shade to post soon, but my album jacket is completely trashed. I'm looking for better art, with no success yet. Stay tuned. . .
This was the first African album that I fell in love with. During the 1980s, after O.J. had moved the bay area, he apparently toured extensively and would show up in Albuquerque two or three times a year. He would play an old, converted movie theater downtown, and needless to say, a very good time was had by all! His band, expecially in the early years when they were all Nigerians, was fantastic! I'm sure that I have an old, very worn copy of this out in the garage, but thanks for making it easily available.
Thanks a lot to share this beautiful jerky muzak.
And hello from Belgium!
Hi, look here http://matlo44-funkytown.blogspot.fr/2012/11/orlando-julius-dance-afro-beat-complete.html , this bastard stole your rip & post it.
thank you so much! amazing blog btw!
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