Asiko Rock Group was a Nigerian ensemble that released a singular album titled Rock Group on EMI in 1976. Members: Njoubi Basile (bass), Z. Joseph Bolandi (vocals, keyboards), Ntaillou Idrissou (guitar), Ndovmbe Jylvand (trumpet), Essombe Antoine Madie (vocals, percussion), Paul Monnu (drums), Evgene Ndema (guitar) Discography: Rock Group (1976)
Tirogo were a Nigerian Afro-funk/psych band that released three albums on EMI between 1977 and 1980. The band’s first album, Float, gained newfound popularity when it was reissued by Shadoks and QDK in the late 2000s. Members: Elvy Akhionbare, Funmi Onabolu, Godwin Debogie, Wilfred Ekanem, Wilfred Iwang In 2013, Afrobeat merchants Voodoo Funk selected the […]
Ofege were a Nigerian Afro-psych band formed by Obalende teenagers in the early 1970s. The band released two albums on EMI, drawing international ears to the West African scene. Two further albums appeared later in the decade on Polydor. Members: Melvin “Noks” Ukachi (vocals), Felix Inneh (guitar), Dapo Olumide (keyboards), Paul Allade (bass, vocals), M-Ike Meme […]
Peter King is a Nigerian Afrobeat musican who was active during the 1970s. He released four albums on Orbitone between 1975 and 1978 and a further two albums on Grandstar Records the following year. During the 2000s, he became an icon of the burgeoning Rare Groove community when his lost 1974 album Shango was issued […]
Nkengas were a Nigerian highlife ensemble that released two albums on Orbitone in 1973. The band subsequently morphed into the Ikenga Super Stars of Africa. Members: Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe (vocals), George Atomba, Linus Opara, Pele Asampete Discography: Destruction (1973) Nkengas in London (1973)
The Mebusas were a Nigerian Afro-funk ensemble that issued the album Blood Brothers on Afrodisia in 1973. Members: Chike Emegokwe (saxophone, flute), Harry Udofia James (trumpet), Fuzzy Gbagi (tenor sax), Raimi Olalowo (trombone), Laja George (drums), Williams Okolie (guitar), Cyril (organ), George Neuville (vocals) Mebusas’ brass/woodwind players were ubiquitous on the West African scene. Harry […]
The Funkees were a Nigerian Afro-funk band that released a slew of singles and two proper albums during the 1970s. The band also co-headlined a solo release by guitarist/vocalist Harry Mosco. Members: Harry Mosco (guitar, vocals, gong), Chyke Madu (drums, vocals), Sonny Akpabio (congas), Jake N. Sollo (guitar, organ, piano, vocals), Danny Heibs (bass, vocals, […]
Jake Sollo was a Nigerian guitarist who was active during the 1970s and early ’80s. He first recorded for Lagos psych-rock quintet The Hykkers, which released two singles on His Master’s Voice in 1971. This was followed by a lengthy stint in London-based Afro-funk group The Funkees, which recorded numerous singles and two albums over […]
Colomach was a Nigerian Afro-funk band that released a self-titled album on EMI in 1976. Members: Gneni Mamadou Discography: Colomach (1976)
Babatunde Olatunji (April 7, 1927 — April 6, 2003) was a Nigerian drummer who popularized Afro-beat throughout the First World with a run of albums on Columbia during the 1960s. The following decade, he joined stateside Afro-jazz ensemble Ju Ju, which morphed into Oneness of Juju after two albums. In the wake of Manu Dibango‘s […]
