visual grade: probably the most unusual piece of
wax i had ever seen in more then 25 years, hard to grade ? G-
1 got some kind of discoloration due to i don t
know what ? check pic
2 side a is warped like the bottom of a bowl,
stylo moves a bit up down but do NOT affect the sound check pic AND
audio
3 side b is warped, like embarked on the
opposite direction then side a of course , it does NOT affect the sound check
pic AND audio
4 both 2 and 3 points d be easily solved with those
flatting machines, which unfortunatly i don t have
5 there s a bubble at the beg of side a which do
NOT affect play
play grade: check the long audio clips of the
actual record on auction, i rec. it all, so no surprises
a Vg plays great, a strong Vg very light
background noise audible in the middle part only, no major/deep scuff audible or
skips
b Vg- light back noise little more audible but
nothing bad or too disturbing, no major/deep scuff audible or skips
labels: writings on both sides
cover: poor check large pictures accurately for
all the details
conservative grading
comments: Shango was directed by Ojo Okeji who also
composed all the three tracks on this album, Mr. Okeji was an original member of
Fela Koola Lobitos bass guitar player . i find this informative blog by seal67
and a page with the title afro funk bass all of fame and this is what is
written about this man: Ojo Okeji-
I guess its fitting that the first time anything akin to a unique Afro-Funk
Bassline was first heard, was in the recordings of a certain Fela Ransome-Kuti
with his band the Koola Lobitos from 1964 onwards- with the singles Laise
Lairo , Omuti tide , Wayo and Ololufe coming to mind and featuring one Ojo
Okeji on Bass Guitar. so to
make it short, the 1st afro funk bassline coming out of Africa in the mid 60 s
was by this gentleman: Ojo Okeji, the leader of Shango Dance Band we re
talking about an originator, the real deal, the inspiration for the Afro Funk
Nation...
side a it s a devastating side long deep afro beat psych juju tune
with wonderful solos, b1 got some amazing psych gt solo and b2 it s afro funk at
sublime levels in crescendo baby baby baby i need yr TRUE love , not to forget
the perc heavy congo rhythms all the way throught and the horny horns
section to me if not The best it s easily among the top 10 of the most incredible records
coming out of Africa ever period.
the chances to see this album offered only
once in a lifetime are very good forget Hank
Mobley s Blue Notes pressed in hundreds copies and with good distribution, this
one was never distributed outside West Africa back then and pressed in probably no more then 500 copies , i know of only
another copy in existence. 1st time on eBay, MEGA rare record and one of the
very 1st NEMI: 023 most probably from 73/74. there s another very rare one by
Shango still one NEMI still directed by Ojo called Shango Heat Wave with
catalog n 076 . there d be somebody who owns both Shango ?
recently reissued for the
reissue folks, not for the original cat or The funkiest African record
collector
