William Onyeabor - Anything... RARE 80s Nigerian funk

$

125

William Onyeabor - Anything you sow
Stupid rare mid 80s Nigerian proto detroit techno funk... private pressing!
Label: Wilfilms WLP033
Year: 1985/1986?

Detroit techno / electro recorded in Nigeria in the mid 1980's on analog synths? Sounding like it comes straight off the latest M.I.A. record? Yes that's what this is all about... add in some sweet female singer choruses and the moralistic lyrics of mr Onyeabor, and you got an essential record that is waiting to be rediscovered and compiled! This album NEVER shows up so here is your one chance to own it.

Listen to fragments (mp3) from the actual vinyl:
When the goin is smooth (part 1)
When the goin is smooth (part 2)
This kind of world
Everyday

You may know William Onyeabor from his tracks on afro funk compilations such as the great jam 'Better change your mind' which appeared on Nigeria 70 and on 'World Psychedelic Classics 3: Love's a Real Thing'. The original album 'Atomic bomb' is a popular and expensive item on Ebay. His lp's are hard to find as he released them on his own record label, Wilfilms. Another of his records that shows up sometimes is 'Tomorrow'. Both albums are heavy afro disco boogie bombs.

William Onyeabor has released at least one more record though, and it's so obscure that I haven't found any references in google or previous Ebay sales. 'Atomic bomb' was already an experimental album on which Onyeabor plays around with his collection of synths. But on 'Anything you sow' he really goes all-out to create a musical landscape that proved to be far ahead of its time.

The album cover (which looks more like mid 70s) shows Onyeabor behind a huge collection of synths and other hardware, including the Moog which was an expensive gear at the time. On this album, the music is all produced with analog synths, even percussion.

The effect is mind blowing... 20 years down the line its clear that Onyeabor was way ahead of his time, the sounds he created here are unlike anything else I have heard coming from Africa. It's more closely related to Detroit techno or electro but in reality he may just have been influenced by Kraftwerk, Yellow Magic Orchestra and the like. The slight 'out of this world' sound of the fragile synth (Moog, Elka etc) melodies are accentuated by the sweet chants of William and his background singers. This piece of vinyl is just waiting to be sampled or re-edited, it would fit nicely on a Moodymann or Theo Parrish re-edit 12 inch. Three out of four tracks are in this style, the fourth is a ballad which is less interesting. Just check out the audio samples above.

Tracklist
A1. When the going is smooth & good
A2. This kind of world
B1. Anything you sow
B2. Everyday

Condition
As with many Nigerian records, the vinyl contained loads of dirt, I have cleaned it gently using record cleaning fluid which took out most of the dirt and noise. You may be able to get more crackle out by having the LP cleaned using a vacuum record cleaner.

Vinyl: VG. Some visible surface scratches which are not audible. Some static/crackle heard throughout silent passages, but most of this record is loud so you won't notice (listen to my mp3 samples to get an idea). The end of a-side (track 'This kind of world') hangs. Still a great copy to listen to or for a dj set.

Sleeve: VG. Seam split on left and bottom side. A small part of front cover picture was torn off, see picture. Owner wrote name on front & back. Official stamp from the Wilfilms label on front.

Priority Shipping: Europe 9 U$, international 16 U$, Netherlands 6.50 Euro
This album is only sent out by insured priority mail with recorded delivery. Buyer pays shipping cost mentioned above, and I will pay the additional insurance fee.

File under... Afrobeat, afro disco, detroit techno, Juan Atkins, Derrick May, Jeff Mills, Eddie Fowlkes, Planet E, Frankie Knuckles, electro, beat, funk, soul, afrofunk, afro funk, boogie, juju, fuji, nigeria, west africa, african, lagos, music, 1980s, boogie, soul, r&b...