Various Artists: Nigeria 80 (2LP, indie exclusive, red vinyl) [STRUT]

Why you'll love it

An indie exclusive red vinyl pressing of Strut's latest Nigerian compilation, eleven tracks across four sides. Prince Nico Mbarga, Victor Uwaifo, Segun Adewale and Evi-Edna Ogholi all turn up, alongside regional records that rarely left the country.

This edition

• Indie exclusive
• Red vinyl
• 2LP set, eleven tracks across four sides

About the album

Strut has been mapping Nigerian music for a quarter of a century, and Nigeria 80 picks up where the label's earlier collections of the 1970s left off. By the early 80s the country's bands had oil-boom money, new studios and synthesizers to play with, and the result is a wonderful mix: Prince Nico Mbarga and Rocafil Jazz's lilting highlife, Victor Uwaifo's guitar-led "Ayubele", Segun Adewale's juju-pop on "Yo-Pop Music" and Evi-Edna Ogholi's reggae-tinged "The World".

Further in, Paulson Kalu, I.C. Rock, Prince David Bull and Lekan Animashaun (longtime baritone saxophonist in Fela Kuti's band) bring the grooves from the east and the clubs of Lagos. It's party music, mostly, with a decade's worth of hope and swagger in it. We'd recommend clearing some floor space before side one, and possibly moving the coffee table.

Tracklist

Listen

Out September 11, 2026 on Strut (cat# STRUT344LP).