The Phases of a Nigerian power trio...
B. Bowman | Jersey, United States | 10/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Unfortunately this collection is no longer in print, but I would recommend finding a copy if you are interested in African music. Not that this is typical African music; the best way to describe this is rock/funk music with a definite African influence. Sound different? It is, but its so catchy it doesn't matter. I was lucky to get a copy of this a few years ago and I still enjoy listening to it. This group started out as a rock oriented power trio in 1972, and songs like "Preacher Man" and "Blo" are good representations of this period. Some of their early songs like "Miss Sagit" sound dated, but the majority of the music from this period of the band is funk rock with a heavy bass and is VERY catchy. This collection displays the band's evolution from a rock band to a disco band. I don't find the disco era Blo to sound any more dated than any other late seventies disco, and besides, when music that is this danceable is playing you usually are too busy dancing to think about it. The addition of a clavinet on "Scandi Boogie" and "Number One" and synthesizer on some of the later songs remind me of 70's era Stevie Wonder, but with a noticeable African imprint. The drummer explains in the liner notes that the band eventually shifted to disco under pressure from the record company and management towards the end of their career. This group definitely evolved from 1972 until their demise in 1982, and "Phases" certainly captures the changes. My hats off to the bass player, he knew how to lay it down. If you like funk music of any kind, you will like this CD. Its too bad that more of their work isn't available."
