They certainly got the "explosion" in the title right – as these tracks leap right out of the groove from the very first note – very heavy on percussion, and with a much starker, funkier sound than some other West African work from the early 80s! The tracks are all from the Edo region of Nigeria – a scene that was still hanging on to some of the leaner modes of the early 70s, while some of the work in Lagos was getting a bit more polished up – with a result that means that the drums are front and center in all these cuts, even when more modern instrumentation is being used – which makes for some highly rhythmic grooves that also earn the "funk" in the title too! As always with Analog Africa, the set list and notes are superb – and this package has a tighter scope than some of their others, as it focuses on the work of three main artists from Benin City – with titles that include "Africa Is My Root", "Who No Man", "Ororo No De Fade", and "My Name Is Money" by Osayomore Joseph; "Ta Gha Husimwen", "Popular Side", "Ta Ghi Rare", and "Ogbov Omwan" by Akaba Man; and "Aibalegbe", "Oviemama", "Skpaide No 2", and "Iranm Iran" by Sir Victor Owaifo. CD

A stunning selection of highlife material from the Nigerian scene – a huge double-length collection that really offers up a vivid example of the music that was in place before the big wave of 70s Afro Funk and other new styles! The work here is different than some of the more commercial highlife recordings you might know – especially those from the big 80s years of world music – as the recording quality is often nice and raw, and the focus is mostly on acoustic percussion, electric guitar, and jazzier horn lines next to the vocals – with grooves usually moving at a mighty nice clip in a bold explosion of color! The bulk of the work on the 19 track set is from the 50s through the early 70s – and titles include "Yei Ngebewoh" by ET Menseh & The Tempos, "Akwanoma Hiahii" by Rambler Dance Band, "Muntie (Highlife Charanga)" by Ramblers International, "Eyaa Dudm" by Professional Uhuru Band, "Ogiobo" by Sir Victor Uwaifo & His Titibitis Of Africa, "Osondi Owendi" by Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe, and "Koko Ahataw Kur" by George Williams Aingo. CD