Customer Reviews

Osibirock

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of my prized possessions. First I tried to licence it from WB to release it on my label but failed to get it. I bought an import from Japan... in 1995 and was lucky to get it autographed by the group when they performed in Central Park, NYC. But to listen to the first track which is a rare blend of African music and western rock is quite incredible then WHY, the second track is about the fallen heroes who were shot down trying to free their people from bondage. It is backed by Paul Golly hard rock guitars. The rest is up to you to decide. I wonder why such a great rock album was in the vaults of WB for such a long time. I think at the time of its release, the group's music was ahead of their time and Warner Bros could not comprehend an African group doing such an album. There is another one in their vaults, "Happy Children" not yet released on CD.

1 Who's Got The Paper 2:28

2 Why 5:39

3 Osibirock 2:58

4 Kelele 5:17

5 Atinga Bells 0:34

6 African Jive 4:02

7 We Belong 4:19

8 Komfo 4:47

9 Kangaroo 2:45

10 Home Affairs 4:57

A bit of a departure for the band, only because a couple of songs feature Santana-esque guitar solos and the latter half is almost completely instrumental. Two tracks are live tracks, though this is not mentioned in the liner notes, and are percussion features. Great album, and a must for fans of the band and Afro-funk. Great to hear they are still active.

Apart from a couple of tracks in this ablbum that feature their experimentation with rock music, the music is original high quality afro-jazz from Osibisa that I grew up on.

The first half of this record is probably the more easily accessible, featuring a couple of catchy Jamaican-style numbers, along with the far more serious "Why" and the call and response "Kelele". However, it is the second side that has the real substance. The only vocals on the side appear on the first track, the Santana-like "African Jive" and last only a minute or so. Nonetheless, the second side is unique and supremely entertaining. Finally, in the last track on the album, "Home Affairs", in the last minute and a half or so, musical nirvana is reached, as all the elements of the band's music blend in perfect symmetry. Unfortunately, I don't think Osibisa themselves realised it at the time, as no sooner is this wonderful state reached than the music is faded.

I'm not one to hand out five star ratings lightly, and the first half is a bit throwaway (except for Why) so this gets 4 stars from me.