1979 Steve Black “Village Boogie” on Afrodisia

I mean, no joke, this record is fantastic. Steve Dudu Black, also known as Steve Black Aiwansosa, also as Steeve, also as (no relation to Sheila) Steve E., put out exactly two records, and both are seminal afrobeat, except the arrangements are very Western, so it really takes the best hypnotic polyrhythmic elements of Nigeria and weds them to a Stevie Wonder style funk and a Curtis Mayfield touch of soul, with just a slight taste of London disco and Santana congas. It’s an unbeatable combination! Now, a lot of that has to do with the genius production of Mr. Berkeley Ike Jones (keep an eye peeled for his record tomorrow), who was in 19 bands you love (Funkees, Ofege, Blo), plus the KILLER bass of Babá Ken Okulolo (“Talking’ Bass Experience”), which really does rise the album above essential to Pure Grail.

​I dunno why you don’t see this badboy mentioned more often, because it’s way up on my list of the best afrobeat I own, and that’s not just because it manages to sometimes sound like Fela without sounding like Fela at all. Have I mentioned the bass playing of Kenneth Okulolo? Also, Sharp Mike on trumpet and Lekan Animashaun (you might recognize him from 19 Fela records, since he was Vice President Of Groove for Africa 70). This record is so stupidly heavy, even the pimply young interns over at Castle Wax can’t lift it. Bomp!