Nkem Njoku & Ozzobia Brothers’ 1980s Igbo highlife LP, Ozobia Special, reissued

“Drawing on Ghana highlife as well as traditional Ogene 6/8 bell tempos.”

BBE is reissuing Nkem Njoku & Ozzobia Brothers’ Ozobia Special, on vinyl this May.

Watch next: The story of Ghanaian highlife legend Ebo Taylor’s “lost tapes” in his own words

Igbo highlife originated during the late ’50s in Onitsha – a city located along the banks of the Niger river. The genre gained popularity during the early ’60s amidst Nigeria’s civil war. The style incorporates call-and-response Igbo vocals, horns, and the 6/8 tempo of the Ogene bell.

Ozobia Special was Nkem Njoku & Ozzobia Brothers’ sole album – incorporating instrumental elements of Ghanian highlife, alongside John Kante’s soukous guitar playing across its 6-tracks.

The reissue follows BBE’s release of a new Jamie 3:26 house edits compilation, A Taste Of Chicago, this March.

Head here for more info in advance of Ozobia Special’s 1st May release, check out the artwork and tracklist below.

Tracklist:

Side A

1. Ozobia Special
2. Ofu Obi (Onye Achuna Uwa Nike)
3. Osula Nwa Eje Ubi Eje Oba

Side B

1. Ije Eluwa
2. Akwa Obi
3. Egwu Oyoliba