The 2001 three-CD compilation
Nigeria 70 was revelatory in that it introduced Westerners to the reality of post-independence Nigeria: that there was plenty of other music -- music of great variety -- to be found in the country besides that of
Fela Kuti and
King Sunny Ade (although they too were included in the set).
Nigeria 70: Lagos Jump takes it to the next step by digging deep and coming up with 16 obscure tracks that, like its predecessor, run the gamut stylistically.
Ify Jerry Krusade's
"Everybody Likes Something Good" is quasi-psychedelic, organ-dominated funk;
Chief Checker's
" Ire Africa" is deep roots reggae to rival anything emerging from Jamaica at the time; and
Peacocks Guitar Band, on their
"Eddie Quansa," turn to Latin rhythms for inspiration. Everything from hard soul to classic rock to jazz and, of course, the numerous indigenous Nigerian forms of juju, highlife, and palmwine shows up in this richly rewarding, historically vital collection of rarities. ~ Jeff Tamarkin
