Nigeria Afrobeat Special - The New Explosive Sound in 1970s Nigeria

Soundway Records storms into 2010 with 'Nigeria Afrobeat Special - The New Explosive Sound in 1970s Nigeria', a cherry picked selection of explosive '70s afrobeat complementing the burgeoning Nigeria Special series.

Focusing on the big band sound dominated by wailing saxes, brass and relentless poly-rhythms, 'Nigeria Afrobeat Special' delivers a no-nonsense collection of tracks that (bar one) have never been re-issued outside of Nigeria.

'Nigeria Afrobeat Special' is the 4th addition to the Nigeria Special series, a project initiated by Miles Cleret, owner of the Soundway Record label, back in 2004. Cleret's ambition to distinguish the blossoming music scenes of 1970s Nigeria has lent to an indispensable series of compilations documenting the influence of western blues, rock and disco amongst artists and musicians versed in the local musical styles of highlife and juju.

While it was Fela Kuti and his musical and political ideals that formed the core of afrobeat's message, blending highlife, Yoruba music, funk and jazz; the collection features his rival and fellow afrobeat veteran Orlando Julius, Eric Akaeze, Bongos Ikwue, Segun Bucknor and a Victor Uwaifo produced cut by the previously unknown Andrew Jaga.

The album also has a cut featuring Pax Nicholas - a singer whose album Na Teef Know De Road Of Teef has recently been made available after 30 years - and the first re-issue of a 1971 Fela track originally only on 7" vinyl!