Best Of The Classic Years

Description

This was a February 2003 release that escaped the PMD net.
We now belatedly announce its availability in the UK, along with the newly released follow-up volume SHANCD66041.
Recorded in Nigeria between 1967 and 1974, this album is an excellent collection of King Sunny Ade's music in its heyday.
Ade, who brought his own guitar style to juju, the music of Yoruba, eventually attracted international attention by incorporating Caribbean elements into his sound, along with Islamic and Christian religious traditions.
The wonderful, laid-back joy in this album pours out of its multi-tiered instrumentation, including the talking drums, congas, sticks and Ade's spritely lap-steel intricacy.
The album features many favourites, including the five-song medley "Sunny Ti De" and the big hit "Synchro System" (all glorious 18-minutes of the extended version), with its smooth-as-honey vocals mingling with bubbling beats and bass lines.
Though it represents only one era of Ade's long career in music, this Best Of beautifully demonstrates why he is referred to as the undisputed king of juju music.
Tracks: Sunny Ti De / Bombibiele Horojo / Oro Towo Baseti / Ko Salapata / African Beats Lu Nsere / Synchro System - (complete original version) / Ibanuje Mon Iwon / Afai Bowon / Ogun Party (Part 1) / Adena Ike.