Product: Konkombe - The Nigerian Pop Music Scene (1979)
Rating: 3.0
Good Overview of the Nigerian Scene at the End of the 1970s
From filmmaker Jeremy Marre's 14-part series of world music documentaries, "Beats of the Heart," this installment focuses on the various styles that make up the Nigerian pop scene. Produced in 1980, it features vintage live performances and interviews with several African artists. King Sunny Adé had yet to release "Juju Music," the smash album that would make him an international success, but he was already a superstar in his homeland. We see him playing live at a house party for the King of Lagos. One of the originators of the juju sound, I.K. Dairo, is also featured in a look at his pioneering work in both African music and worship. There's an interesting peek into the recording studio with the Lijadu Sisters as they work on tracks for their album. The twins give the perspective of female artists in the music business, and they talk about the hardships of working for the British-owned Decca record label. Fellow Decca artist and Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti is briefly shown, surrounded by his 27 wives, as he discusses his role as an African musician. We hear a snippet of his "Shuffering and Shmiling," but there is no live footage (see Shanachie's "Fela Live" DVD for that). Veteran African artist Sonny Okosun is interviewed, and we see him working on material for his "Power to the People" record as well as performing it live at a free concert. At only an hour long and over two decades old, this program serves as a dated but still intriguing snapshot of Nigerian music. For anyone venturing into the world of African rhythms, it will provide a good introduction to the spectrum of styles (highlife, juju, Afropop, etc.) as well as some vintage footage of a few of the greats. The DVD has chapter stops, but no extra features over the VHS edition. The disc is presented in full frame as it was originally filmed for TV.