Fred Fisher Atalobhor Ogiza Dance Band-African Carnival ...
NEW CD
2XCD Digipack.

Funky African work from Fred Fisher -- a Nigerian trombonist who crafted his own unique groove at the end of the 70s!

Fred both sings and plays trombone -- the latter with a Fred Wesley-like soulfulness -- and his rhythms here are really wide-ranging, and embrace a host of new styles coming into play at the time -- including a fair bit of influences from American soul! Some cuts have a rootsy groove, while others move into tighter dancefloor territory -- never in a commercial style at all, but with traces of boogie and other 80s modes in the mix. Vocals are sometimes in English, which furthers the global appeal of the music -- and the set brings together tracks from 4 different albums by Fisher. Titles include "Say The Truth", "Asa Sa", "Iye Ye Mu Elediamemisise", "No Way", "Let Love Free", "WTFS", "Beautiful Dancer", "Happy Blue Night", "The Beginning Ishan", "Ehimedede", "Babajoo", and "Ebi Lolo". 2CD set features 20 tracks in all. Note: The music on the whole set is great, but there are a few tracks that suffer sound-wise from some distortion in the masters used. Most of the other tracks are fine, though.

The seventies was a vibrant musical period universally and the scene in Nigeria was no exception. Bands sprang up all over the country, free to fuse their traditional music with genres such as soul, funk and pop. In the midst of this creative turmoil, an effervescent style innovator called Fred Fisher – famed trombonist, vocalist, composer, songwriter - hit the world with his talent. Fred is known for high energy dance grooves and catchy melodies.

This fabulous compilation, AFRICAN CARNIVAL, takes the best songs from Fred Fisher's albums: "Say The Truth" (1979), "No Way" (1981), "Wahala Dey For Town" (1988) and Ogiza (1990), and comes with liner notes by Nigerian specialist Samuel Kayode.

Since 1972 Fisher has recorded albums for EMI and AFROSIA creating and defining his so called “ASOLO ROCK” - a blend of afro Funk-Rock with soulful melodies.

With his own band Fred also performed live all over the country. They opened for Fela Kuti, who noticed the talent of Bob Ohiri who later joined Fela’s band, leaving Fred and his band stranded. They had to cancel a 6 month contract in Owere. Lt Apasa stopped paying the rent, took his equipment back and that was the end of the band. Bob Ohori went on to record and perform with Fela. He later left Fela to join King Sunny Ade where he introduced the Afrobeat rhythm to Juju music.

Today Fred Fisher continues to do session work and performs with several bands in Nigeria. He is finally starting to get the recognition he deserves.
 
Tracks list 
 
1. CD: Say The Truth
 
 
2. Asa-Sa
 
 
3. Iye-Ye-Mu / Elediamemisise
 
 
4. Open The Door
 
 
5. Let Love Free
 
 
6. W.T.F.S.
 
 
7. No Way
 
 
8. Beautiful Dancer
 
 
9. Happy Blue Night
 
 
10. The Beginning/Ishan
 
 
11. Ehimedede (Ogiza No. 1)
 
 
12. Kisiana
 
 
13. Mercenary Go, Mercenary Come
 
 
14. Wahala Dey For Town
 
 
15. Jolly Boy
 
 
16. Baba Jo O
 
 
17. Ibhagbe
 
 
18. Cry For Peace
 
 
19. Ebi-Lolo
 
 
20. Thief Man
 
 
21. (NOTE: Tracks 4, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18 and 20 are CD only, not on vinyl.)
 

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