After spending much of the ‘70s humping his congos around New York as a session musician, Nigerian Aleke Kanonu pulled in some favours to record an album of his own. The result was Aleke, a criminally obscure Afrobeat/Funk/Jazz masterpiece featuring Buddy Williams on drums, George Davis on guitar and a cameo from Wynton Marsalis on flugelhorn. There are only four tracks on the album but they are all killers. N’Gwode sounds like Fela Kuti and Manu Dibangu hanging out with Bobby Womack, probably somewhere across 110th Street. ‘Keep New York Clean’ struts like Shaft after a successful bust. And ‘Mothers Day’ keeps things sweet and soulful, before Wynton Marsalis brings back the groove with his flugelhorn on ‘Home Sweet Home’. Until recently you would have had to take out a second mortgage to get hold of Akele. And sold a kidney for the Happiness/Nwanne, Nwanne, Nwanne 12’’ Kanonu released a year later. Thankfully PMG has re-issued the LP and the EP, with the CD version containing both. - Peter Moore
supported by 11 fans who also own “ALEKE KANONU - Aleke (1980) 2016”
After so many years, the music here still sounds really fresh, I think it would perfectly fit into an Open Air Club Night in summer 2021.
(PS: You can also buy one of the last CDs directly from the label and kindly ask for a redeem code.) Ordinary Joe
supported by 10 fans who also own “ALEKE KANONU - Aleke (1980) 2016”
Bought this on spec before release . Can never have too much Mingus ! Every performance is unique.
This is a magnificent recording of a great gig - unique ; irreplaceable “ Nick Bradey
supported by 9 fans who also own “ALEKE KANONU - Aleke (1980) 2016”
If you can sit still while this album plays, check your pulse, buy this record & hook it up directly & immediately into the first available vein... The Execrable Bede
The worldwide artists assembled here, from the '60s to the present day, tap into the idea of music as a connection between human and divine. Bandcamp New & Notable May 13, 2016