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Who is William Onyeabor?

Started by holyzombiejesus, October 26, 2013, 10:42:45 AM

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holyzombiejesus

Anyone got this yet? It's had rave reviews from press and shops alike (Honest Jons describing it as "Epic disco-funk with intricate percussion breaks, bleepy synths, Krautrock, cheese, oddity"  and I'm really enjoying it.



I'm shit at describing stuff so I'll leave it to others ...

QuoteThrough its World Psychedelic Classics series, Luaka Bop has succeeded at introducing long-forgotten artists including Os Mutantes, Shuggie Otis and Tim Maia to the world at large. William Onyeabor is as obscure as these other artists were before their Luaka Bop releases, although his recordings from the 70s and 80s are beloved by die-hard record collectors and artists such as Damon Albarn, Devendra Banhart, Four Tet and Caribou, to name a few. The music ranges from synth-heavy electronic dance music to Afrosoul with saxophones and female backup singers, to psychedelic funk with wah-wah guitar and fuzzy keyboards - and often combines all of these elements.

'Who Is William Onyeabor?' may be the most complicated, if also one of the richest, undertakings in Luaka Bop's (rarely straightforward) 25-year history. Following the eight albums Onyeabor self-released between 1978 and 1985, he became a Born-Again Christian, refusing ever to speak about himself or his music again. Various biographies can be found online. Some say he studied cinematography in the Soviet Union and returned to Nigeria in the mid-70s to start his own film company, Wilfilms. Some say he was a lawyer with a degree from a university in Great Britain. Others portray him as a businessman who for years worked on government contracts in Enugu, Nigeria.

By attempting to speak with Onyeabor himself, and by talking to people who seem to have firsthand knowledge, Luaka Bop has been trying to construct an accurate biography of him for the past 18 months...without success.

One thing that's undisputable is that Onyeabor's music is utterly unique and ahead of its time.

The vinyl release comprises 13 tracks spanning Onyeabor's body of work and will include artwork by John Akomfrah, Njideka Akunyili, Harrison Haynes, Dave Muller, Odili Donald Odita and Xaviera Simmons. The CD and release includes nine tracks.

"The world might just be better off not hearing [Onyeabor's "Atomic Bomb"], which will burrow and propagate its seed exponentially by the second, into the hearts and souls of all humanity. It's the catchiest song I've ever heard; when it gets in my brain, I can't sleep...He's a mythical character from Nigeria." - Devendra Banhart in Uncut

"Anyone out there who is making music at the moment...will be quite excited by this..." - Damon Albarn on BBC Radio One

"LCD Soundsystem sounds like an American William Onyeabor." - Peaking Lights

"Talked to Luaka Bop about details of the William Onyeabor comp they are working on... Gonna blow minds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" - Four Tet

"People are really going to freak out!" - Caribou

Stream here...

http://luakabop.com/onyeabor/

Paaaaul


Viero_Berlotti

Yes, there is a really good, as yet unreleased, Onyeabor remix at the end of this weeks BIS that is well worth a listen:

http://www.beatsinspace.net/playlists/700

Serge

We did a launch party for the album last night, which resulted in some photobooth based shenanigans between me and a cardboard cut-out of the great man:



...not to mention a lot of people who can't read a simple gig listing and thought that the long-missing in action musician was going to play. ("What time's the performance, mate?")

The album is fucking great, I think 'Good Name' might be my favourite thing on it. I have a copy of the vinyl version put aside for when I have the money to afford it.

weekender

I would just like to say, nearly two years after this thread was started, that this album is fucking amazing.

I can't really describe it, it's just astounding.

More people should listen to it.

That is all.

Kane Jones

#5
Due to this thread having a recent bump, I picked this up on Sunday in Cheltenham for £4 and I absolutely love it. Almost worth a visit to Cheltenham. It's a cracker. Cheers for the recommendations.

Oh, and I agree with Serge - Good Name is particularly outstanding.

non capisco

Been caning this all week, terrific stuff. Good Name and Body & Soul are probably my standouts. Also love Let's Fall In Love, the repeated backing vocal refrain and the skittery, buzzing synth on that one get hypnotic after a while. Superb.

Rocket Surgery

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that 'Good Name' is better than silver and gold.

EDIT: for 12 minutes.