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Osibisa

After they first came to Chennai 25 years ago, for a second time , Osibisa rocked Chennai, on Sunday, November 22′nd and it is only fitting I write a review of their self-titled debut album, the album and the band that gave the world, World Music. Unlike their previous concert where so much advertising took place months before their concert, this time ads were confined to just the leading newspaper from South India, The Hindu. The concert also took place in a much smaller venue as compared to the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium as in the previous case. My reviews of the concert are on my personal blog are can be found by clicking this link.

It would be a very poor understatement if I or we were to label Osibisa as an Afro-pop band. With a steady dose of elements of rock, jazz and traditional African sounds and voices Osibisa were a creed apart from the material we are normally used to listening from the band.

Listening to their older albums and in particular their debut you even wonder why music as this wasn’t categorized under the Progressive rock genre. Filled with guitar, keyboard and percussion solos this is a music that must have taken listeners by surprise when they first heard it way back in 1971. But unlike the typical doom, gloom, frustration, depression, rebellion or bizzare feeling as in the music of many of the progressive rock and rock bands Osibisa’s music is nothing but happy vibes. This is the case with many other African bands and artistes I have heard. Get the most stubborn audience and Osibisa will get them on their feet and they will be clapping, swaying and dancing to the music in no time. 

Osibisa, the debut album may be new to many listeners but on the Billboard Hot 200 they rank at #55.

Now for a song by song review.

1.  The Dawn – There can never be a more fitting opener to Osibisa’s music than this song from their debut album. This is the song that gave the world the infamous bass-drum sound so typical of Osibisa and their African music. Osibisa has always opened their concerts with this number mentioning the meaning of “Osibisa” as “Criss cross rythms that explode with happiness”. Keyboard, guitar and flute solo’s fill the song.

2.  Music for Gong Gong – Imagine a trumpet-saxophone instrumental from an African band in the Top of the Pops. That is what this instrumental is all about.  There are very few who don’t want to be up and dancing for this number. Lovely saxophone solo by Teddi and the keyboardist and the percussionists and bassist support the song brilliantly. The percussionists perform their trademark solo that is so much a part of Osibisa’s live concerts in style. Check out how the bassisst joins in after the combined solo from the percussionists. Simply beautiful.

3.  AiKo Biya – Another huge concert favorite. This one’s bass-drum pattern and the ones of the first two songs have been heavily imported into several movie songs in Indian movies by Indian composers. Lovely guitar solo from Dell Richardson followed by a trumpet solo. A lovely percussion solo from the percussionists ensue and conclude the song.

4.  Akwaaba – Song may sound to start in the vein of the earlier songs but somewhere in the middle check out how the song breaks from its original tune to let Dell Richardson play a beautiful guitar solo.

5.  Oranges – If you liked trumpet and horn sections in bands that play them then this is your song. Teddy plays a a lovely saxophone solo.  Has a nice guitar solo too from Dell Richardson. Mostly an instrumental with occassional chanting of “Oranges”

6.  Phallus C – More jazzier, first comes the sax solo, then the lovely guitar solo with the beautiful drum beat in the foreground and keyboardist providing the required support. Seriously I wonder how people could label Osibisa as just Afro-pop. One listen to this number and they are going to correct themselves. When the guitar solo ends the percussionists go for it one more time. Simply brilliant.

7.   Think About the people – Not the best concluding song but reveals Osibisa’s versatility in making different types of songs, this one on social issues. Slow bass starts the song and keyboardist shows of his skills along the way but this song has more singing and lyrics this time. I would consider this song only as a filler.

Since their objective were happy vibes, the focus was not on soloing though the members could get pretty serious when it came to solos.

I also read on Wikipedia that though their music has been used and sampled by other artistes Osibisa has received little or no royalties. For years we have been wathching programmes on Indian Television channels heavily use their music. I wonder if these shows even know whose music they have been using let alone pay royalties.

And lastly not to forget the incredible artwork of Roger Dean that has further added to the artistic beauty of the band. Roger has been the official artist for most of Osibisa’s albums.

If you appreciate world music or listen to a lot of progressive rock, Osibisa will be a breath of fresh air. Never miss them.

For 40 years Osibisa has been rocking and are currently on tour. Thanks to a a tenacious Teddy Osei who got a new lineup along with old members to tour again.

The artistes on the album – Teddy Osei (Tenor Sax, Flute, Africal Drums, Vocals), Sol Aarfio (Drums), Mac Tontoh (Trumpet, Flugehorn, Kabasa), Wendell Richardson (Lead Guitar, Vocals), Spartacus (bass guitar, assorted percussion), Robert Bailey (Organ, Piano, Timbales), Loughty Asisi Amao (Congas, Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax).