King Sunny Adé & His African Beats - Synchro System
Synchro System / Ire
Island 12IS 122 (1983)
King Sunny Adé is a Nigerian ju-ju singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Born in 1946 his full name (and title) is Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye. His title comes from being born as a Omoba of the Yoruba people, a West African royal family. His mother is a member of the Adesida dynasty.
He formed his backing band The African Beats in 1967 and throughout the 70s gained national success in Nigeria. In the early 80s he was signed to Island Records and achieved a wider, international success including a Grammy nominations in 1983 and 1998.
His music is characterized by, among other instruments, the talking drum – an instrument indigenous to his Yoruba roots, the guitar and the peculiar way he uses the instrument. His music is in the age-old tradition of singing poetic lyrics (ewi in Yoruba) and praise singing of dignitaries as well as components of Juju (traditional African belief) called the Ogede (casting of spells). Hence, Sunny Adé's music constitutes a record of the oral tradition of his people for posterity.
He is also credited with introducing the pedal steel guitar to Nigerian pop music as well as synthesizers, clarinet, vibraphone and tenor guitar.
Comments
Post a Comment