Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Ololade Balogun, who passed away just last year around

this time, recorded this album originally??back in 1982. Alhaji Agba championed

his brand of percussion heavy??and Yoruba style song-chant as “Fuji music”

citing the Japanese Mt. Fuji as landmark of love. This album is mesmerizing

in his deep voice with deeper reverb, and then sometimes augmented by some

of his Fuji commanders voices. Every once in a while, a trumpet trickles into the mix, with a sort of take on “Taps” or similar notes. Each side keeps rolling

with no break despite distinct songs worked in, so I think this was just??one or

two tremendous trippy takes.??The flip side features some English on “Fuji

Americano” but hearing a sample of the title track is what told me I had to get

this record for KFJC.??Other later works of his had more perky beats and

guitar flash and synth cheeriness. This one’s more stark delivery and the vocals

grittier and way less processed strongly give it a hypnotizing power. Bluesy

bite in the chant, and a lot of squeeze drums, give this a less pretty feel which only adds to the power. Really a uniquely beautiful record that can please Howlin’ Wolf fans, and echo-plex rockers and millions of his Nigerians in his homeland.

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