An in-depth look at the music of a Nigerian legend, who combined the rhythms and traditions of the historic culture of the Empire of Benin with the sounds of Highlife, Soul and Reggae to produce his own unique and culturally vital musical hybrid.

Packed with rare tracks, vintage cover art and informative interviews and commentary, this CD restores him to his rightful place alongside the other giants of African music.

Victor Uwaifo’s mission to spread and preserve his people’s cultural heritage has seen him work as a commissioner for cultural affairs in his native Edo State, a University lecturer, bronze sculptor and poet, as well as a highly successful musician. He has been awarded Nigeria’s highest cultural tribute – the order of the Niger - and continues to teach and work today with an energy that has not abated for nearly fifty years - he is a true African polymath. From the mid 60s to the early 80s, he was one of Nigeria’s most popular music stars, producing the huge smash Joromi – the biggest ever selling record in Africa and recipient of Africa’s first Gold Disc – as well as many other hits. It would have been hard to escape Victor’s exuberant presence on the radio and jukeboxes of Nigeria and West Africa at the time, not forgetting his extraordinary stage shows and outlandish costumes.

This CD focuses on the music he produced in the 1970s – a time of greater Western influence but also of an increased interest in the heritage of his country and culture, reflected in his musical experiments and reappraisal of traditional styles. The CD booklet includes Victor’s explanations of the songs, rhythms and lyrics, as well as interviews conducted by compiler Miles Cleret at Victor’s home in Nigeria. This CD continues the journey started with the Soundway release ‘Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Nigerian Blues 1970-76’ in expanding the commonly held notion that Nigerian music begins and ends with Fela Kuti and Sunny Ade. Enter the world of Victor Uwaifo, Guitar Boy Superstar and Nigerian legend.

Other Soundway Recordings include.

• Nigeria Special: Highlife, Afro-Sounds and Nigerian Blues, 1970-76 (SNDWCD/LP009).
• Nigeria Disco Funk Special: The Sound of the Underground Lagos Dancefloor 1974-79 (SNDWCD/LP010)
• Nigeria Rock Special: Psychedelic Afro-Rock & Fuzz Funk in 1970s Nigeria (SNDWCD/LP011)
• Afro Baby, the Evolution of the Afro Sound in Nigeria, 1970-1979 (SNDWCD/LP002).

Text courtesy of Ilka Media
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