Welcome to the first installment of R E C O R D S. What does that mean and why did I spell records that way? In the pandemic my friend Cory started using ‘w i d e f o n t’ for stuff of this nature. Complete pieces of art that give you a cohesive vibe - Lynch, Ozu, Miles, Pink Floyd, The Dead, Andy Shauf - the shit that was made for vinyl.
The first R E C O R D I’m highlighting is Edo Funk Explosion Vol 1, which is actually compilation hahah but whooo cares. This is an all time favorite album that brings me instant joy, and one I haven’t shut up about for years, making it the perfect first one to write about.
I found this in 2021 on the Station Rotation, the now defunct internet radio app started by Danger Mouse & Nigel Godrich.
I was in Austin driving up Burnet Rd to pick up food for some musicians during a session I was running. I flipped through this app while driving (as you do) and I landed on Josh Klinghoffer’s station, “Iranm Iran” playing, and it stopped me right in my tracks (but I kept driving don’t worry). Instant serotonin - the infectious groove, squishy rhythm guitar panned hard left, insanely loud organ rolling, the horns, I said aloud “what the fuck this is the best music I’ve ever heard.”
This compilation comes from the fine folks at Analog Africa and features 3 artists from the Nigerian state of Edo that in the late 70s, early 80s fused highlife, funk, afrobeat, disco, reggae and ska into a unique sound, that to me, is pure joy.
Sir Victor Uwaifo, the main force behind this sound, stands out on this comp. “Aibalegbe’s” insanely loud high pitched moog solo & “Obviemama’s” quirky & brain-scratching horn hook are two bold choices that will make anyone crack a big ol smile. And with a bouncy groove I could listen to on loop for hours, tape saturated flute and a perfectly simple melody, Osayomore Joseph’s “Africa Is My Root” is the perfect opener.
The vinyl edition comes with an incredible 20 page magazine that lays out the history and context for this music, alongside some incredible art direction. Get it, I’ll be pulling this one out for the rest of my life.
Do you have a favorite R E C O R D? I wanna hear it. Throw that recc in the comments or email me at manywordsmusic@gmail.com.