By Request, this post was reuploaded 01/17/2015. NØ
I had every intention to move on from the African music, and then I happened across this amazing 7", which I couldn't resist sharing. It was originally released in 1972 on the Decca records label. Both tracks are great, but the A-side track "Allah Wakbarr" is absolutely stunning, and the obvious star here. The track begins with some pure funk riffage, backed by a low groovy African beat, with chants thrown in for good measure. Just as you are feeling the whole African vibe, the track erupts into raw psychedelic funk. It slowly builds with the beat becoming heavier and heavier, all the while accompanied by a nasty squealing guitar solo.
The B-side "Beautiful Daddy" is great, but doesn't match the sheer ferocity of "Allah Wakbarr". The first half of the track is straight forward afrobeat, but that raw electric guitar emerges in the latter half, climaxing in a dirty psyched out solo. The A-side track has been featured on several compilations, including "Nigeria 70: The Definitive Story of 1970's Funky Lagos". The liner notes for this compilation includes a bio of the group, for which information is very scarce:
Discovered by Decca's A&R man in Nigeria, David Bennett, they were one of countless student band's playing in Lagos during the 70's. This "crunching rock jam" recorded in 1972 was their earliest hit and became their best known track. Due to it's release in the UK they were invited to play in Berlin before travelling on to the UK. They were based there before undergoing a name change to Ofo The Rock Company and returning to Lagos in 1975.
Members:
Guitar: Toks Shotade
Drums/Percussion/Vocals; Larry (Lari?) Ifedioranma
Keyboards: Dele Olaseinde (ex "Clusters" & "Ofege")
Congas: Kingsley Obiche
I read on another website that the band released a live LP recorded from their European tour. I would love to get my hands on a copy of this if any of you could help out. I would also love to hear more music with a similar sound, so if any of you have recommendations, please leave a comment. This comes highly recommended. At 10MB, the file size is very small, so do yourself a favor and download this now.
Year of Release: 1972
Label: London / Decca
Genre: Afrobeat, Psychedelic Rock
Bitrate: 320kbps
Track List:
1. Allah Wakbarr
2. Beautiful Daddy
Download: Ofo The Black Company - Allah Wakbarr/Beautiful Daddy 7" Single
Download Size: 16.6MB
10 comments:
Good track - this is on the Luaka Bop's "World Psychedelic Classics 3: Love's a Real Thing", which is another great afro-rock comp.
@Subcomandante Marcos: Thanks for the info. I'll have to check it out. Do you have any other recommendations? I was considering getting the "African Scream Contest" compilation. Do you know anything about it? Thank you once again for the recommendations.
Hi, I've uploaded that compilation I mentioned:
http://rapidshare.com/files/168343939/lart.rar pls feel free to share this on the blog.
Another good afro-rock album that I like is by a group called Amanaz, crotchbat's blog has it.
Cheers
Forgot some info..
I've not heard that 'African Scream Contest' comp, but the reviews I've read are good. There are links to be found (and torrents) if you want to listen to it..
http://www.bluefame.com/index.php?showtopic=123708&mode=threaded
and
http://www.mininova.org/tor/1359675
Cheers!!
Thanks once again for the info Marcos. Cheers!
excellent article. Thanks for the work
Zero thanx for this gem. And Macros , thanx for the links, I like this genre so much, but it is so hard to find.
Ola, what's up amigos? :)
In first steps it's very good if someone supports you, so hope to meet friendly and helpful people here. Let me know if I can help you.
Thanks and good luck everyone! ;)
Reupload please?
many thanks
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