Jonathan Eguavoen And His Brothers Dance Band, 1976 [Decca – TPNPS 22] LP

Bini High Life

From the wonderful https://www.youtube.com/@Theplacewiththegoodthings channel. Highly recommended!

One of the fascinating features in African music is that each ethnic group has it's own musical preferences. This is very much true of Nigerian Highlife: even if you don't understand the language, you can hear the difference between Ibo and Niger-delta highlife. The most eccentric form of highlife is for me Edo (or Bini) highlife. Of course, it's most famous representative Victor Uwaifo is very much a mainstream musician, but listen to this Jonathan Eguavoen recording: really something else.
When i first heard it, i was really confused: where is this music going? But like all good music, it gets under your skin and stays there.
And it's a peculiar language too: what about a track called 'Omonsemwonyenmewen'?

Jonathan Eguavoen And His Brothers Dance Band – Jonathan Eguavoen And His Brothers Dance Band

Label: Decca – TPNPS 22
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Nigeria
Released: 1976
Style: Highlife, African
Vintage refreshed: boosted sound quality

A1 Osamwensumwen 4:50
A2 Sarigele 5:07
A3 Omonsemwonyenmewen 4:45
A4 Ikpomwenren 4:51
B1 Ilobi 4:51
B2 Iranmwinran 4:52
B3 Aigheghezere 5:00
B4 Omowonmongbe Mwennovbiere 4:54

Credits

Written-By – Jonathan Eguavoen