There’s a bit of an Afrobeat resurgence happening lately isn’t there? From the Nigeria Special compilations, to Seun Kuti’s new album, Nomo, Antibalas and various other compilations. Now we have Lightning Head who has been influenced by all of the above and has released an album called The 13 Faces of Lightning Heads. Lightning Head aka Bigga Bush used to be Rockers Hi-Fi and now runs the Lionhead Records label.
13 Faces of Lightning Heads was recorded in the South of England and not in Lagos like it sounds. It’s an album brimming with a respect for the source inspiration of Afrobeat and funk but which manages to infuse it with with touches of reggae, hip-hop, club music, global sounds and dub. I’m loving this.
Lightning Head – Power of the Great
He’s even made an audio documentary about his journey into Afrobeat.
Links:
www.biggabush.co.uk
www.myspace.com/biggamusic
www.myspace.com/lionheadrecordings
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
Glyn Bush is magic. That Studio Don album he did as Lightning Head is the business. There was little said about it when it was released but I still love listening to it.
Amazing africa tapes site:
http://awesometapesfromafrica.blogspot.com/
awesome aswesome awesome
OT: Not begrudging Playlist Mix but my money was on Nialler9 to win that IWA. Ah well, next year.