Onyeabor, William – “Who Is William Onyeabor?” – [Luaka Bop]

mickeyslim   10/23/2013   CD, International

Funky international synth sounds from Nigeria. William Onyeabor allegedly studied cinematography in the Soviet Union, but returned to Nigeria to start his own record label. The Luaka Bop label claims he released 8 records from in the ’70s and ’80 before becoming a born-again Christian and refusing to speak about his music ever agian. There are claims he lives as a businessman in Enugu, Nigeria.

Synthed out funk waves, fun chant-y lyrics, playful, hoppy. “Atomic Bomb” was apparently the “hit” back in the day. There’s a fun horn section, handdrum and drum set action, and a sharp killer guitar.

CD1 has fat tracks, whereas CD2 has the edits (shorter tracks). Throw it in to kick some funky Nigerian jams!