We Before Me

Lagbaja | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 19, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Indigedisc
• ASIN: B00005KIZ9
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #202,877 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #56 in Music > World Music > Africa > Nigeria

Track Listings

1. Me and You' Be Enemy (We Be Family)

2. Nothing for You

3. Simple Yes or No

4. Gra Gra

5. Gengen (Rumor 1)

6. Prayer for the Youth

7. Konko Below

8. Vernacular

9. Feyin E

10. Suuru Lere

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lagbaja Immortalizes Yoruba Folk Songs, December 21, 2002

By 

Adewale Adewumi (Palm Coast, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Before Me (Audio CD)

The sound of this masked piper of Yorubaland is nothing short of phenomenal. Adopting a fusion of old and new, Lagbaja reaches way back to the choruses that accompanied folk tales told on moonlit nights in villages and towns throughout Yorubaland in the fifties and sixties. Not only are the songs ancient, they also take on a modern form through Lagbaja's masterful tenor saxophone and a host of other modern instruments to make the dancing pleasure even more pleasurable. Lagbaja is not only a musician but a prophet as well when you consider how he successfully captured the voice of Nigeria's modern Cicero on track seven and crystalizes the prayer uttered by the late Chief Bola Ige in "Prayer For The Youth." Listening to this album/cd is a pleasure unmatched in modern times. With the passage of Fela comes Lagbaja as historian in a sort of magical realism creating a dialogue on African culture with the Abami Eda himself, a feat made possible through the proficient use of modern technology. Lagbaja is also a patriot as he opened this CD with a much-needed message of unity and peaceful co-existence between the many nationalities that make up modern-day Nigeria. This album is truly an African original, but it also ranks among jazz greats of yesteryears like Thelonious Monk, Dexter Gordon and John Coltrane. This CD is a must-have without which no musical selection is complete.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The African Masked Maestro's Musical Pot-Pourri, August 8, 2001

By 

adedamola ifaturoti (Plainsboro, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Before Me (Audio CD)

From out of the very heart of Africa comes Lagbaja's multi-faceted musical genius. The band's repertoire comprises various indigenous African genres and styles, foremost of which is Fela Anikulapo-Kuti's electrifying Afrobeat, in addition to other powerful native elements in the mix: West African High Life, and the Fuji, Juju, Apala and Sakara rhythms of the Yoruba of Nigeria. However Lagbaja's musical pot-pourri does not end with these continental African forms. There are also strong Diasporan musical influences discernable in the music including Reggae, Salsa and Calypso from the Caribbean as well as American R&B, Soul and Funk. With the wave of "World Beat" sweeping by, Lagbaja is sure to carve a solid musical niche and win over many hearts and minds the world over.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enigmatic lagbaja, October 27, 2002

By 

Kay Cee "kc" (Somerville, Massachusetts United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Before Me (Audio CD)

It's really hard to classify Lagbaja's style. It's not really straight afrobeat but mixes in juju, jazz and other elements I can't even begin to mention. What is certain is that he's one of the most innovative musicians around today. From the moment you pop in the CD and listen to lagbaja's commentary on the absurdity of ethnic discrimination "Me and you no be enemy", you are in good hands.
A minor grouse I have with the CD is that in my opinion it does not actually feature the best of Lagbaja. Surely, a compilation of Lagbaja's best work would include "Africalypso", the classic "Coolu temper" which has become a catch phrase in Nigeria, and "Baby Ta Ni Ko Fe wa". No matter, what is featured is still great. I don't think I have ever heard anything from Lagbaja I disliked. Highly recommended.