ALBUMS: Aura (1985), Juju Music (1982)
MVC Ratings: Aura 4.0/$$$, JuJu, 4.5/$$$
Ade was doing so-called world music before it was cool.
For decades he has been blending electric guitars, pedal steel, synthesizers and voice harmonies into a bubbly Nigerian stew.
For me it was Sunday morning music– a Sunny Sunday morning with bright rhythms rolling like a river, kind of the opposite of Kris K’s downbeat ‘Sunday Morning Coming Down,’ (which I love by the way.)
In Ade’s aural world, talking drums speak, and voices melt into choruses smooth as syrup. I have no Idea what the words mean. These two albums I have are from a time, early 1980s, when the world music thing became big. Ade was unfairly being billed as the next Bob Marley.
Both of these albums are excellent, but Juju Music is the best pick.
Counting down my 678 vinyl records before I die of brain disease.