I saw a band from back in the day last weekend - details will follow at some point next week - and it prompted me to dig out a bunch of old favourites of a roughly similar vintage i.e. late 70s and early 80s. Four spiky, one poppy.
Inexplicably none of them topped or even touched the charts. Most of them have appeared here before but not for a fair while, so treat them as you would returning friends.
"Baby I'm A U-Boat" - The Fire-Hydrant Men (featuring the Fabulous Fezettes)
I read an interesting interview with the remarkable Ted Milton of Blurt a few months ago - you can find it here if you enjoyed "Fish", but also if you didn't. Ted and Blurt are still going. The video dates from about 15 years ago.
Today we have another one of the CDs I acquired when I visited The Jazzhole in Lagos back in June. This one comes courtesy of Mr Paulson Kalu, ably abetted by His Stars 25.
Exactly what CD it is isn't completely clear. On the cover it says that it is his greatest hits but the CD itself says it's "Uche Chukwu Mee", the name of an album he released back in 1973. Nine of the 14 tracks on the CD are from that album but a couple are missing so it is very nearly, but not quite, the original LP plus bonus tracks.
If you are not familiar with Mr Kalu and his work I can do no better than to share a few quotes from the citation from the Centre for Memories - "a repository of the history and culture of Ndị Ìgbò" - on the occasion of his 80th birthday last December:
"Born in Akanu‑Ohafia, Abia State, Paulson Kalu was raised amidst the rich heritage of his people. From early days, he showed a passion for music; joining the Martin Brothers Dance Band in Port Harcourt, where he first learned the rhythms that would shape his musical journey.
He continued with Erasmus Jenewari’s Globe Kings Band as a vocalist. In 1970, he entered the band of legendary highlife master Stephen Osita Osadebe, a period of mentorship which helped him refine a distinct musical personality rooted in Ìgbò cultural values and philosophical lyricism.
Not long after, Kalu founded his own group based in Onitsha. Through this band, he released songs that resonated deeply with those seeking comfort, identity, and hope. For decades, his music has helped soothe hearts, revive cultural pride, and remind his listeners of the enduring power of Ìgbò melody and philosophy".
Links stay up for a month or so. If you are an artist or copyright holder and want me to remove the link, or if you want to get in touch for any other reason, e-mail me on leggies27@hotmail.co.uk.
