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ray stephen oche and his matumbo - no discrimination - favorite recordings - vinyl

New Copy

Genre: African

1. Ada Ode (Dedication to Dr. Allah Ajonye)
2. Trumpet Calls The People Of Nigeria (Dedication to the people of Idoma)
3. Peace Upon Kenemaland (Dedication to Audu Ikurita Ogbeh)
4. At The Jazz Fountain (Dedication to Ogbuloko)
5. Ayipe-Assa (Dedication to Alachi Unayi)
6. Benue Meditations (Dedication to Princess Otali Oga)
7. Owoicho Oche (Dedication to Owoicho Audu)
8. Down Beat Special (Dedication to mother Africa and specially Edigwu Okplefu)
9. Kano City Sky (Dedication to Idoko Adapoly)
10. Death Scattered Assa Village (Dedication to Agaba Odaudu)

A revival, a resumption, a revelation� call it as you wish, Ray Stephen Oche is now delivering his musical message: fire, fun, fury, talent and magic. This is music from the African heartland, dense, intense, a genuine fermentation of black African experience in sound. Check!

Side A
1. Ada Ode (Dedication to Dr. Allah Ajonye):
This piece, a transposition of an after diner chant, with which young villagers animated their moonlight evenings, is dedicated to Dr. Allah Ajonye, a relative and childhood friend with whom Ray Stephen passed the tender years of his childhood in his native village.
2. Trumpet Calls The People Of Nigeria (Dedication to the people of Idoma):
Ray Stephen here goes back home. In respect for his country�s popular dance style, he introduces what could be called the most modern Afro-highlife rhythms.
3. Peace Upon Kenemaland (Dedication to Audu Ikurita Ogbeh):
Ray Stephen dedicates this lyrical piece to his friend and only tribesman in Paris, with whom he shared the early experience of his life. The musician professes his admiration for Audu Ikuta Ogbeh, who gave him unreserved encouragement and assistance. This piece is a testimony to his eternal gratitude.
4. At The Jazz Fountain (Dedication to Ogbuloko):
Ogbuloko was an anti-colonial chief of guerilleros and he was also a leader among the Idoma people. Drawing his inspiration from his native environment, from where Ray projects his musical vision on the wider African horizon, he underlines the diversity of the different rhythms. Birth, death, hunting, war, each has its own music of accompaniment. Among the Idomas, �Oglinye� was a typical war danse, and the typical African war tunes were a psychological tuning up for the warriors before battles. In this track, all is calculated to lend vigour and vitality to this forerunner of modern jazz.
5. Ayipe-Assa (Dedication to Alachi Unayi):
It�s a tribute to his aunt Alachi Unayi, who assured his early education after the death of his father. Her deep Christian examples and kindliness left permanent marks on Ray.

Side B
1. Benue Meditations (Dedication to Princess Otali Oga):
Otali Oga is yet another of those beauties who flourishes in Ray Stephen�s home village of Edikwu. A ruby of womanhood: tall, straight, slim, she used to turn all the heads. She was besides a real �cordon bleu�. Ray Stephen Oche, far away from his village in Paris, had nostalgic recollections of her feminine attributes.
2. Owoicho Oche (Dedication to Owoicho Audu):
This is a message to all people, dedicated to his peace loving namesake and nephew. The piece calls on all men to reflect. All men, whatever their colour of skin is, are created the same simple fallible beings. Observe yourselves, says the musician, no man is really black, red, white, yellow or green. Racial discrimination is born of human madness. God bless the child who knows this.
3. Down Beat Special (Dedication to mother Africa and specially Edigwu Okplefu):
Before he met the famous percussionist Guy Warren in Ghana, Ray�s great grandmother, Edigwu Okplefu, in testimony to his artistic potential, had blessed him and transferred to him the family�s musical legacy. She pronounced him a man of great and far-reaching musical inspiration and destiny.
4. Kano City Sky (Dedication to Idoko Adapoly):
Idoko Adapoly, a high functionary of the Government of Nigeria, is a close relative of Ray Stephen Oche. Older than Ray, he took care of him with a great attention. Ray Stephen transposes the traditional village chants into what can again be called Afro-highlife.
5. Death Scattered Assa Village (Dedication to Agaba Odaudu):
Greetings to colonel Agaba Odaudu, son of prince Odaudu Obbole, who led formerly Owoicho Oche and other youths in the village in the bird hunting sprees.