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Friday, December 13, 2013

"Obodo Eyo" by Sir Victor Uwaifo

Song: Obodo Eyo (Ekassa 12)
Artist: Sir Victor Uwaifo
Album: Guitar-boy superstar
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Commentary: Sir Victor Uwaifo made up a style based on a traditional Nigerian dance associated with the coronation ceremony for the Obas (kings) of the kingdom of Benin; the style is called Ekassa. This song, Ekassa 12, is a reverent song for the monarch and has lyrics that say 'All hail the king!, His Majesty, the world is yours.' (this information comes from research from the liner notes compiled by the wonderful Miles Cleret of Soundway records)

I first heard Sir Victor Uwaifo a few years back on a weird compilation from Amazon (Wyld Pytch/51 Lex Records Presents: Music From Nigeria) I deleted the rest of the songs, but I kept Ekassa 28. When Ekassa 34 appeared on the Rough Guide to West African Gold, I fell even deeper in love with Uwaifo's riffs in the highlife style. Ekassa 12 (Obodo Eyo) is one of my favs from the Soundways compilation focusing on his Ekassa period in the early 70s.

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