Nigeria Freedom Sounds!

Subtitled ‘Popular Music and the Birth of Independent Nigeria,’ these 23 tracks were all recorded more than half a century ago. They present a fascinating snapshot of a culture in flux: between independence from colonialism in 1960 and the coup and civil war that would ensue half a dozen years later. Context is all, for it explains the innocence of the music, which ranges from highlife, jùjú and Yoruba traditional styles to palm-wine guitars and calypso. This diversity is perhaps unsurprising, given that Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation and comprises more than 250 different ethnic groups and languages. The best known name here is IK Dairo, represented by five tracks of gently swaying jùjú rhythms. The bandleader EC Arinze also gets five tracks for his Ghanaian-influenced highlife. Chris Ajilo and his Cubanos are jazzier and considerably more sophisticated; several members of the band went on to play with Fela Kuti and they deserve more than the one track here. Haruna Ishola plays a more traditional tribal Yoruba style known as apala, while both Godwin Omobuwa and his Soundmakers and the Apolos Empire Rhythm Orchestra offer West African calypso. Lovely, timeless stuff.