PREMIER Music, the custodian of vintage highlife and Nigerian indigenous music; and perhaps the only ideal recording company still left in the country, has taken the packaging of its all-time legends to a new level.Attractive, solid and classy, repackaging has been articulated into different categories.Attractive, solid and classy, its repackaging has been articulated into different categories and classifications such as Golden Oldies, Highlife Kings, Highlife Classics, and Authentic Sound of Lagos and Legends. Coming as a rare collection is Golden Oldies Series 1 and 2, which features such veterans and individuality as Bobby Benson, Chris Ajilo who are two of the pioneers of highlife. Others are Victor Olaiya, Stephen Amaechi, King Kennytone, Roy Chicago, godwin Omabuwa and the late great Zeal Onyia ' a rare collection indeed.A two-CD pack, the first opens with Nylon Dress by Stephen Amaechi, a song that was inspired by the fashion that prevailed in the 50s, a social commentary. Amaechi was for many years the resident band at Empire Hotel, Idioro and Nylon Dress was one of his biggest hits on 78 rpm.Bobby Benson Taxi Driver and Gentleman are conspicuously reflected in the CD. As a rare release, two different versions of Taxi Driver have experienced some re-issue here, resulting in over six minutes of this vintage hit, which in fact paved the way for big band highlife to thrive in Nigeria.A fine singer, composer, bandleader and godfather of Nigerian popular music, Bobby Benson was an unusual multi-instrumentalist and a great one at that. Unusual because, he did not just specialize in playing all the instruments of the reed family such as alto, tenor soprano, baritone saxophones and flute, he was quite proficient on such rhythmic instruments as the guitar on which he played the blues like John Lee Hooker would do. As godfather, his outfit was the training ground for almost all highlife greats, beginning from Victor OlaiyaGentleman, his second contribution to this CD is a calypso, evidence of the Caribbean influence, which mixed strongly with highlife in those early days of the music.The late King Kennytone is offering Okay O! a rare song which has not been heard on radio since the '60s when broadcasting thrived on authenticity, patronizing Nigerian cultural heritage as of necessity, in the national interest. King Kennytone was however more popular for his fusion of highlife with Twist, a dance craze and a musical culture created and introduced to Nigeria in the '60s by Chubby Checker. Omotele and Kpawale are also in the conventional highlife style.Another obscure material which collectors will find strange and interesting is Olubunmi by Roy Chicago and his celebrated Rhythm Dandies. Roy Chicago's fans are familiar with such hits as Yoyo gbe, Maria, Onile gogoro, Bosde, Are owo niesa and the like, but not Olubunmi, which is so refreshingly done here as if in live session.One highlife musician who deserves more recognition than he currently gets from highlife devotees is Zeal Onyia is not only a pioneer of the music but also one of its first performers. His Ogogoro from the album, Zeal's Messages is reflected in this CD. As a matter of fact, upon his arrival from Germany where he went to study in 1978, he recorded Zeal Anata and later in 1980, Zeal's Messages of Philips Records, now Premier Music.Ogogoro, which means illicit gin, is based on the melody of one of the songs Zeal previously recorded with The Rhythm Aces of Ghana led at the time by alto saxophone player, Spike Ayanko in 1955. Also in that band were such towering Nigerian Highlife musicians as Appollos Fiberesima on trombone; Paul Isamade known as Baby Face Paul on tenor saxophone. Zeal was the leading trumpeter for the group. Ogogoro is a Ghanaian melody to which Zeal provided his own lyrics, warning against the dangers of drinking illicit gin.One of the greatest trumpeters in West Africa, Zeal was a good arranger of highlife music and a composer of free-flowing highlife melodies. His Vic yem ofum where he held one note on the trumpet for five minutes and Oyin lotan, which put Stephen Osita Osadebe on the path to success, are also classics.Chris Ajilo's Ariwo is faithfully reissued on Side One of this CD, Golden Oldies. Known for his originality as a composer, Chris Ajilo is responsible for several highlife tunes with fascinating melodies and meaningful lyrics most of which are sung in Yoruba as he doubles on vocals and tenor saxophone.If we were to give Afrobeat an elastic meaning, Chris Ajilo would pass for its originator. Ariwo, a performance steeped in African music, was created and performed by him in the 50s while conventional highlife was still thriving. One of the pioneers of highlife in Nigeria, Chris Ajilo, who is still kicking and alive, will be 82 on December 26, 2011. A contemporary of the late Bobby Benson, Chris has groomed many musicians, especially such progressive ones as the great trumpeter Mike Falana, guitarist Don Kemonah among many others.Calypso King Godwin Omabuwa is part of this collection, where he offers two songs, Drive Right and Be Careful, and Struggle Hard while you are Young. The first one was recorded in the early 70s when Nigeria started driving right as opposed to the left. It was a promotional song that helped to whip up awareness for this action, on radio. The second song is a piece of useful advice.In general terms, Omabuwa's music can be classified as highlife, but because he is essentially calypso-based, he naturally fuses highlife with calypso. Before he traveled abroad in the late 70s, he led a group called The Casonova Dandies, but for many years, he sang with many groups and collaborated with many individuals such as Michael Falana, trumpet; Etim Udo, alto saxophone; Olu Idunuma, alto saxophone; Joe Nez, vocals; Arthur Benny, guitar.With all these individuals, Omabuwa sang several emotive songs, prominent among them 'You cheat me', which he also fused with calypso. His last album in this musical direction is entitled 'Latest in highlife and calypso sound' was recorded in the 1980s by Samjoic Records. Appearing as Josamic International Band, the album also contains 'Corner corner love', one of his big hits of the 50s. The inclusion of Omabuwa in this collection provides another opportunity to hear him in his youthful days.The second disc in the golden oldies package is devoted toVictor Abimbola Olaiya, the evil genius of highlife who, at 80, is still waxing strong on the scene, occasionally singing and playing the trumpet.From this living legend of highlife are such evocative highlife songs as Iya Jemila, So fun mi, 'All stars invitation, and Gbemisola among others with recording quality at its best.
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