Steve Monite’s ’80s Nigerian boogie classic Only You reissued

The shimmering, space synths-fuelled LP returns.

Steve Monite’s Only You album is being reissued on vinyl for the first time, via Soundway Records this April.

Read more: How ’80s Nigeria embraced funk and boogie

Born in 1961, Monite learned to sing in the Anglican school choir, subsequently deciding to pursue a career in music.

After travelling to London and failing to find a label in the UK, Monite returned home and was shortly signed to EMI Records. It was there where he met producer Nkono Teles, who was inspired to bring the disco and synth sounds of NYC to Nigeria.

However, when Monite released Only You in 1984 it failed to garner critical or commercial success. As he recalls: “when my record came out, everything went cold.”

Fortunately, the album has gone on to be discovered by new generations and become an enduring classic.

Soundway’s release of Only You marks the album’s first official reissue, remastered by Frank Merritt at The Carvery.

Pre-order Only You here in advance of its 22nd April release; check out the artwork and tracklist below.

Tracklist:

1. Only You
2. I Had A Dream
3. Things Fall Apart
4. Welcome My Love
5. Only You (Disco Jam)
6. Things Fall Apart (Vocal)