Blo “Chapter One”
The Blo experience is best heard on RPM’s Chapters and Phases (2009). This reissue includes both the Chapter One (1973) and Phase II LPs in their entirety.
Blo (based out of Lagos) grew out of the Clusters, a popular late 60s group who made ends meet by covering Beatles and Stones tunes. Before long people began refering to the Clusters as the “Nigerian Beatles” but the group also soaked up the sounds of Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, and local hero Fela Kuti. To make a long story short things did not work out for the Clusters who included future Blo members Akintobi and guitarist/songwriter Berkley Jones. In 1972 Blo made their Christmas debut at Lagos City Stadium and by all accounts blew supporting act Osibisa off stage. Lagos City Stadium housed 10,000 vistors strong, all who were chanting “we want Blo” that day - a trio they had never seen before!
Press reports began describing Blo as Africa’s first real rock band. Following the explosive live performance at Lagos City EMI issued Chapter One in the summer of 73. At the time nothing sounded quite like it. The album is an extraordinary mixture of funky James Brown beats and spacey psychedelic guitar jams (check out the superb instrumental ”Miss Sagitt”). Album opener “Preacherman” combines both these styles into something really far out and classic. The spiraling acid guitar solos and shuffling drum work really stand out on this cut. Brilliant. Every song is worth listening to multiple times but I’ll single out all 6 minutes of “Don’t” for it’s hazy, hypnotic vibe that’s similiar to early Can.
Sadly, Blo never really broke out of Nigeria despite having the look, superior chops, and an excellent batch of songs.
“Preacherman”
Complete Recordings | 2009 | RPM Retro | buy at amzn ]
Also Recommended
Strange coincidence you should post a band from Lagos today, as I just went to see the new Fela! Broadway musical last night. It was amazing to imagine you were really watching Fela at the Shrine, but it failed to really take me away… a little too much “Broadway” got into the mix.
Brendan December 23, 2009 @ 11:24 am
Something a bit different for TRS, I must say, and very welcome. I have a weakness for African guitarists from the eighties onwards, because they really discovered a different way to make sounds with electric guitars that owes no baggage to the blues or any other western style. African guitarists simply s-p-a-r-k-l-e when they start hitting those riffs. Investigate any of the soukous coming out of Zaire or Senegal, for example, if you will. Oh, and I do have a soft spot for Osibisa even if they’re not really an African band. I saw them live at Bath University in 1973 when THEY blew Curved Air offstage.
Len Liechti December 29, 2009 @ 7:20 am