Nigeria 70 Vol. 1

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EDITOR'S PICK

Total Tracks: 20   Total Length: 119:07

eMusic Review 0

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Michelangelo Matos

eMusic Contributor

04.14.09
A reissue of a reissue? This one's earned it, and then some
2009 | Label: Strut Records / !K7 Records

In 2001, the London label Strut issued Nigeria 70 as a triple-disc set: two audio CDs and a DVD with documentary. The label laid low for a while in mid-decade — but not before a handful of other labels began following its lead by excavating a rich, growing horde of gems from Lagos and beyond — the Nigeria Special series, in particular, has picked up on what Nigeria 70 began.

So it's only fair that in 2009, Nigeria 70 be issued again. A reissue of a reissue is a rare thing, but this comp has earned it. Now packaged sans the DVD, it's a double-disc that feels lean and tight even as it sprawls over two hours in length. But unless you're a collector, you shouldn't worry: the music really is the thing here, and some of it stands with some of the funkiest jams of the '70s, regardless of where they came from.

Fela Kuti & the Africa 70 you probably already know about; his "Jeun Ko Ku (Chop 'n 'Quench)" is as down-to-the-ground as Fela got, thanks to a guitar so off-center it's practically sideways and one of the master's greatest horn charts. Africa 70 drummer Tony Allen… read more »

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Double CD Killer Comp

Queef

Standout tracks are 1, 7, 11 & 20. Fela Kuti inspired afrobeat!

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classic

tancilivich

a monster. funky, sinewy, awesome. download.

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Hot and crazy

sophist

Awesome compilation. More music should be like this - it just makes you feel GOOD!

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Double CD

BomShankar

Just to be fair, this is a double album, so it could have been worse (i.e. 24 credits) and yes, depending on your new 'improved' plan, you can probably download it cheaper at Amazon. Whatever ... this album is essential, the first of a slew of other great 1970's Nigeria comps. (esp. on Soundway, avail. here) and one of the best African comps. ever. Check the comment on 'crossover content' but one way or another, get it all! ... (btw both here & Amazon omit 3 tracks from the orig. CD incl. 2 by Fela Kuti ... should be a half star off for that)

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20! - what happened to 12 credits max

dtwood

this eMusic transition is lacking the benefits it originally espoused... (iTunes-like) 12 credits max for a single album. cutting my value of my membership in half, adding crap POP music and then still dinging me for every song. the end is near. though i'm still buying this album... on Amazon for $8.99 - http://tr.im/tyto

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Just Download It!

Bartola

This is such an incredible release. Man the Nigerian music scene was HOT! This stuff is crazy.

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crossover content

duggie

Tracks 3, 9 and 12 also appear on World Psychedelic Classics 3. If you have that collection you can skip them here and save on download credits.

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