Thursday 1 March 2012

Yusufa Olatunji & His Group - Orin Tokotaya



This battered CD came from a stall on East Street Market in Southwark - a real treasure trove of Nigerian music if you ever get the chance to have a wander.

Yusufa Olatunji was one of the leading exponents of sakara music, a popular form of Yoruba music and a precurser to the percussion heavy fuji sounds of Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister or Alhaji (Chief) Kollington Ayinla. Yusufa was also known as Baba Legba, which got me wondering whether the nickname was related to the Yoruba loa, Papa Legba. Papa Legba is the first and last spirit to be called during Haitian Voodoo ceremonies as his presence is essential in any communication between mortals and the spirit world.

Just for kicks, here is the SUn City Girls playing Papa Legba:


and here is Baba Legba:


Tracklist:

01 Alhaji Adetunji Adenekan / Alhaja Lati Ladejobi / Sinotu Abeke / Egbe Egba Parapo (Oshodi)
02 Orin Tokotaya / Orin Asiko / Rasaki Adelakun / Egbe Faripo (Egba) / Egbe Irepolodun (Egba)

Get it HERE.

2 comments:

Holly said...

Excellent!!!!

Oh, and Minus seems like a great file host - do you recommend?

Mr Tear said...

Hi Holly,
Minus seems like it's worth a go. I've not had any complaints about it yet so we'll just have to wait and see. I hope you're going to start up again soon.
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