Horizon Unlimited

There’s no question that the world needed this beloved 1979 album by Nigeria’s twin Lijadu Sisters back in the spotlight. Their infectious blend of Afrobeat, disco, soul and rock, delivered with such optimism and energy, is even more impactful now, thanks to Numero Group’s high-fidelity treatment. But the real delight here is that this is only a small part of a much larger project that reappraises and celebrates the sisters’ legacy and their contributions to global music. The beautifully remastered Horizon Unlimited is the first instalment in a multi-year campaign to make the Lijadu Sisters’ entire discography available. Numero will reissue each of their LPs, along with a collection of previously unavailable singles, EPs and rare recordings. This is about more than just bringing music back into circulation – it’s about righting historical wrongs and reclaiming artistic agency for a duo whose music was so ahead of its time that the world wasn’t quite ready for it. Yeye Taiwo and Kehinde Lijadu were twin sisters who burst onto the scene during Nigeria’s cultural golden age in the mid-60s, when the country was freshly independent and bursting with creative energy. As one of the few female acts in a male-dominated industry, they carved out a niche that was both distinctive and empowering. Their music was both vibrant and political. They addressed everything from gender dynamics to political corruption, all while maintaining an infectious, danceable groove. Their music lives up to the advice their mother gave them when they first started writing, as Yeye Taiwo recalls, “Write songs that people will listen to today, relate to, and want to continue relating to, as it was yesterday, tomorrow and every day of life, for eternity.” Horizon Unlimited, their landmark album, which has been remastered by Grammy-winning engineer Michael Graves, shows the Lijadu Sisters at the height of their powers. From the driving rhythms to the soulful harmonies, every track pulses with life and meaning. The talking drum and the sisters’ voices are centre stage on each of the six tracks and the disco-infused hit single ‘Come On Home’ sparkles. As the first instalment, Horizon Unlimited promises much for this reissue project. It’s a testament to the sisters’ enduring legacy. Artists like Amaarae, Jamie xx, Hayley Williams of Paramore and Nas have all cited the sisters as an influence. But despite their visionary music and global impact, the Lijadu Sisters spent decades battling exploitation, unpaid royalties and the systemic prejudices that often overshadowed their success. It wasn’t even until 2021 that Yeye Taiwo regained control of their catalogue (tragically, Kehinde, who passed away in 2019, didn’t live to see this achievement). It’s nice to see that their story is finally being rewritten with the respect it always deserved.