The Benin Empire encompassed Ijaws, Igbos, Itsekitris and Urhobos, among other groups, but the Edo people constituted the core of the nation. Even today they are celebrated for their artwork, a sample of which is at the top of this post. Much of this was destroyed when Benin City was captured by the British in 1897, and much of the remainder was dispersed around the world. Today Benin City is renowned as a center of education and culture in Nigeria.
Patrick Idahosa & his African Sound Makers - United Brothers
Patrick Idahosa & his African Sound Makers - Tamoubiyememwsm
Patrick Idahosa & his African Sound Makers - Tamiyaregbe
The Amunataba Dance Band are similarly obscure to me, but what a fine album Akenzua (Mikii MAK 504, 1978) is! Sweet guitar highlife in the Peacocks mode, and isn't the front cover great?
Amunataba Dance Band - Eronmwon
Amunataba Dance Band - Akenzua
Willy Adamosa Osagiede got in touch with me many years ago, and even sent me a CD of his recent recordings. Like all of the musicians here, he was most popular in the '70s and '80s. He's presently based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and you can access his MySpace page here. Here are some tracks from his 1976 LP Ukpakon (Afrodisia DWAPS 70):
Adamosa Osagiede & his International Band - Amayamwen Nue
Adamosa Osagiede & his International Band - Igho Nogie
Adamosa Osagiede & his International Band - Wa Gha Hio
Osayomore Joseph's Afro-funk sound has recently drawn some notice thanks to his contribution to the recent Soundway compilation Nigeria Special. Here's a song from his 1982 LP Ulele in Transit (Emotan EMOLP 01):
Osayomore Joseph & the Ulele Power Sound - Efewedo
And here's one from another 1982 album Over the Bar. . . I Beg You . . . (Emotan EMOLP 02):
Osayomore Joseph & his Ulele Power Sound - Alele
Winding things down in style with Idemudia Cole's Talents of Benin, whose Talents of Benin Vol. 5 (Shanu Olu SOS 127, 1981) is as wonderful an example of Edo highlife as you'll ever find:
The Talents of Benin - Ovbiokhokho