Now Playing At The Odion

This is the second Monday in a row we are featuring Nigerian music with a link to Fela Kuti. I only realised that after I had finished preparing the post. Please don't mistake this for a series.

Odion Iruoje was the #1 producer in Nigeria in the 1970s and 1980s. He is the man who signed Fela to EMI Nigeria and co-produced many of his early albums, and his list of production credits on Discogs reads like a who's who of Nigerian music of that era - Sonny Okosun, Tunji Oyelana and the Lijadu Sisters to name but a few.

Mr Iruoje only ever released one album under his own name but its a real cracker. Originally released in 1983, "Down To Earth" was reissued by the good people at Soundway Records in 2016. It makes a great way to start a new week.

"Anogo - Giri" - Odion Iruoje

"Alhaja And Obiageri" - Odion Iruoje

I tried to find another musical Odion for the video slot but met with no success - the former Watford and Manchester United player Odion Ighalo does not appear to have joined the ranks of footballers who have made records. I did find an Odia though. Obviously you are getting the terrible hit but it turns out she also did a decent ELO cover.