King Sunny Ade

One of the true pioneers of modern Nigerian juju music is undoubtedly singer/guitarist King Sunny Ade. Adding Hawaiian guitar, bass, electric keyboards and rarely brass to the traditional conglomeration of talking drums and percussion instruments, the still active Sunny who at last count had 111 albums to his credit released a series of recordings in the 70s that have come to be regarded as bona fide classics.

It’s pretty hard to argue against a collection that includes his greatest recordings of the period, re-released in pristine CD format. King Of Juju (Wrasse Records) takes off with the classic Synchro System and lands with the horn-led excitement of Jingo with Manu Dibango guesting, a traditional Nigerian number originally performed by Olatunji and covered by Osibisa as well as dozens of latin bands. In between the listener is taken on a tour of more than one masterpiece, including the beautiful Ma Jaiye Oni. If the polyrhythms don’t burn holes in your brain, see de riddem doctor pronto. Feb 2003