Afrofunk Junks Beware: Essential Releases Coming Up!

Recentley Academy Annex already treated us with the re-issue of the Nigerian highschool band Ofege, now 2 other afrofunk gems are coming up mid-late june.
SJOB Movement - A Move In The Right Direction
Extreme Afro-Funk-Rock rarity. Aside from a few scattered blog entries, we’ve never seen this one given the attention it deserves. One track from their second LP was included on Soundway’s Nigeria Disco Funk Special .
Mebusas Volume 1 - Blood Brothers
Yet another Nigerian rarity, this Mebusas LP gets its first ever reissue. Best known for their cut “Son of Mr Bulldog” which was made available on the Soundway's Afro Baby comp.

The Analog Africa label already provided us with several beautifull releases, their latest compilation African Scream Contest really hit the funky spot. The upcoming fifth collection focuses on Benin.
Various - Legends of Benin
Legens of Benin contains super rare and highly danceble masterpieces recorded between 1969 and 1981 by four legendary composers from Benin, Antoine Dougbe, El Rego, Honore Avolonto and Gnonnas Pedro, each one of them with their own distinct sound. The compilation comes with a 40 page full colour booklet with ultra rare pictures and biographies. Compiled by Samy Ben Redjeb, and of course all tracks fully licensed, release May 15th!
tracklist:
1. Dadje Von O Von Non - Gnonnas Pedro LISTEN HERE
2. Feeling You Got - El Rego et Ses Commandos LISTEN HERE
3. Honton Soukpo Gnon - Antoine Dougbé LISTEN HERE
4. E Nan Mian Nuku - El Rego et Ses Commandos LISTEN HERE
5. Tin Lin Non - H. Avolonto & Orchestre Poly-Rythmo LISTEN HERE
6. Okpo Videa Bassouo - Gnonnas Pedro et Ses Panchos LISTEN HERE
7. Ya Mi Ton Gbo - A. Dougbe & Orch. Poly-Rythmo LISTEN HERE
8. Nou Akuenon Hwlin Me Sin Koussio - Antoine Dougbé LISTEN HERE
9. Djobime - El Rego et Ses Commandos LISTEN HERE
10. Na Mi Do Gbé Hué Nu - Honoré Avolonto LISTEN HERE
11. Vimado Wingnan - El Rego et Ses Commandos LISTEN HERE
12. Dou Dagbé Wé - Honoré Avolonto & Black Santiago LISTEN HERE
13. Kovito Gbe De Towe - Antoine Dougbé LISTEN HERE
14. La Musica en Verité - Gnonnas Pedro LISTEN HERE

Psychedelic Funky Afro-Rock from Nigeria: Ofege - Try and Love (1973)

Ofege's debut album from 1973 is now re-issued on cd & vinyl by Academy Annex, so go out and get your copy of this psychedelic afro-rock fest! You might have heard them already on Soundway's Nigeria Rock Special (with the tune Adieu from their second album), Nigeria's most famous student band in the first half of the seventies recorded two wonderfull albums, which both sold pretty well. Ofege (local slang for describing an act of defiance) recorded their debut when they were still in high school (aged 15-17) and the 5-piece band consisted of Melvin Ukachi (vocals), Paul Alade (bass & vocals), Felix Inneh (Guitar & vocals), Mlke Meme (drums & vocals) and Dapo Olumide (keyboard). The guitar tracks were dubbed in the studio by Berkley Jones, guitar player for psych afro-rock legend Blo (check out the Afrostrut release Blo: Phases 1972-1982) and production was done by Odion Iruoje. Sweet harmonies are combined with psychedelic guitars and afrobeat drumming, with Melvin Ukachi being the principle songwriter. I must admit that at first I didn't like the vocals too much, but after a few more spins, the record started to show his strength. And by now, the lamenting and youthfull voice of Melvin tends to hypnotize me. After Try and Love, the somewhat more polished sounding Last of Origins (synth was added in London) was released in 1975. Two more albums were recorded in the latter half of the seventies: Higher Plane Breeze (1977) and How Do You Feel (1978). Check their myspace for soundsamples.

Tracklist: Nobody Falls, Whizzy Llabo, Gbe mi Lo, Try and Love, It's Not Easy, Ofege, You Say No, Lead Me On.

P.S.
The Academy Annex label (based in a Brooklyn recordshop) is gonna release 2 more Nigerian gems this spring: SJOB Movements with A Move In The Right Direction and The Mebusas' Blood Brothers.