V/A: Nigeria 70: Sweet Times (2LP) [STRUT]

Why you'll love it

Twelve tracks across four sides give each long groove room to stretch out. Sweet Times follows Strut's original Nigeria 70 compilation from 2001 and 2007's Lagos Jump, digging further into the city's 1970s party records.

This edition

• 2LP set

About the album

Lagos in the 1970s was one of the busiest music cities on earth, and plenty of its best records were made for the city's own dance floors. Strut's Nigeria 70 series has spent two decades bringing them to the rest of us, and this third chapter goes deep into heavy jazz, scratchy Afro-funk and rolling juju grooves.

Moneyman and the Super 5 International open with the near six-minute "Life," Ali Chukwumah & His Peace Makers International bring "Henrietta," and Eji Oyewole stretches "Unity In Africa" past eight minutes. Highlife bandleader Dr Victor Olaiya's International All-Stars turn up with "Kinringjingbin," Tunde Mabadu heads for the disco on "Viva Disco (Instrumental)," and juju star Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey & His International Brothers close the set with the near seven-minute "Ajoyio." Bola Johnson & His Easy Life Top Beats keep it brisk on "E Ma S'eka," Zeal Onyia & His Music stretch out on "Idegbani," and Etubom Rex Williams & His Nigerian Artistes bring "Ama Mbre Ewa."

It plays like a long night out in 1970s Lagos, one groove handing over to the next. Four sides, twelve tracks, and not one of them in any particular hurry to get home.

Also at Kops: more Nigeria 70 on vinyl · browse World

Tracklist

Listen

On Strut (cat# STRUT079LP), the 2011 compilation.