MASISI MASS FUNK - I Want You Girl - LP

* Power funk from a rather obscure Nigerian act on their only album
* For fans of Mighty Flames, Geraldo Pino, Funkadelic, Temptations
* Filled to the last groove with catchy tunes that feature awesome harmonies
* Killer fuzzed-out lead guitars, heavy grinding organ, spacey synthesizer leads
* A few songs have obviously Christian lyrics
* An original affair for fans of groovy Nigerian afro-funk
* Excellent sound and performance by high-class professional musicians
* First ever rerelease on vinyl
* Fully licensed
* Remastered audio
* LP housed in a superheavy 430g art carton cover
* Ultimate collector's item for fans of classic afro-funk

In the mid-seventies, Nigerian bands came and went with alarming regularity, rising meteorically from the slums to stardom and falling back again just as quickly. Masisi Mass Funk from Anamara State was one such band. But during their brief moment in the stratosphere, they produced a funk gem in I Want You Girl. The band was championed by Ebere Ikoro from the Hygrades. He took them under his wing after an ill-advised collaboration with Soly Dibong. They were originators, not imitators, he said. He produced I Want You Girl and played on it as well. It's easy to see what appealed to Ebere Ikoro. The title track has a Manfred Mann sixties vibe. 'Care To Love Me' is a wonky, off-kilter reggae calypso number. And 'Ungrateful People' bounces along with a Sly And The Family Stone chirpiness. However, it's the gospel numbers that really stand out. 'Heavenly Father' rocks out with strident keyboards and plaintive vocals. And the relentless 'He Is To Be Praised' is an afro-funk-rock-gospel monster, guaranteed to raise your eyes to heaven while keeping your feet firmly planted on the dance floor. Sadly, Masisi Mass Funk only released one album, their star burning as quickly as it did brightly. They went on to form First Planet, an Afro Boogie band that tore up Lagos dancefloors in the '80s. But that's another story for another day. - Peter Moore