Kickstarter

Music recording sessions for the film soundtrack took place here in Lagos last week at the famed Afrodesia Studios (formerly Decca West Africa owned) thus bringing about the last of our filming sessions. I can safely state that we are now in post production.

What a week it was. Following months of intense planning, we flew in ace music producer and sound engineer, Bill Lee (Destiny's Child, Whitney Houston, Siji) to help with the arduous task of capturing some our featured elder's live in the recording studio. It was his first trip to Nigeria and I must say, he boldly held his own in rugged 'ol Lagos. 

Elder's Corner co-producer and recording artist, Ade Bantu was also kind enough to tap his band 'Agbero Boys International' to help recreate some of the chosen classics for inclusion in the movie soundtrack with absolutely stunning results.

First up was Fatai Rolling Dollar who breezed through our sessions on his way to the airport for a 3 month long tour of North America. He barely broke sweat as he crooned through one of his rare classics, "Se Mi Jeje". Over the entire week, we also recorded with Paulson Kalu, Jimi Solanke, Segun Bucknor, Dele Ojo and the Chief Commander himself, Ebenezer Obey.

Some of the highlights included Ebenezer Obey's performance during which he laid down a subtle yet intimate acoustic rendition of his old classic "Ore Mi Ye Se Pele" and then stunned us further by offering to jam with the band on another song. His presence was truly befitting and dare I say, utterly humbling.

Jimi Solanke's gravel toned baritone on his recitation of "Ona La" (originally recorded for Ralph MacDonald's album, "The Path") was absolutely breathtaking. A seasoned stage performer and a true griot, uncle Jimi completely floored the band by laying it down live and direct for both camera and tape.

We had a few surprises as well, including The late Eddy Okwedy's sibling, Godfrey Odili who turned up and managed to beautifully convey the pathos on post Biafran war song, "Happy Survival.

Being in the company of greats, many of whom started their recording careers within the haloed walls of the Afrodesia studio was a really cool way to wrap up filming for the project.

An apple never falls far from the tree. Sassy yet regal, Yeni Kuti held us in rapture as she relived her childhood memories growing up as the eldest child of legendary Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

She also gave us a far too often overlooked female perspective on her father, his mercurial talents as a musician and composer, the many challenges he faced under successively repressive military regimes, as well as the delicate task it took to commandeer a harem filled with colorful and sensual female admirers and wives.

Orlando Julius, Paulson Kalu and Fatai Rolling Dollar collectively graced the stage for the first time ever to give truly memorable performances of some of their timeless classics. They performed alongside yours truly and Ade Bantu's band as part of the Goethe Institute's 50th year anniversary in Lagos.

The evening's event which was named "TI-RO-RO" was put together in a bid to gain further support the project and to capture live performance footage for inclusion in the documentary.

Elders Corner goes LIVE this Sat.8.Dec @Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos. This one of a kind show, will feature legendary & iconic highlife greats, Fatai Rolling Dollar, Orlando Julius & Paulson Kalu performing alongside modern day contemporary Afrofunksters Ade Bantu, Siji & Aduke.

Last night we captured a really special musical conversation between Fatai Rolling Dollar and BluFunkster, Keziah Jones. We also caught Afro Folkster, Kuku who delightfully accompanied the legenday Paulson Kalu for an impromptu jam session. More to come.

The elusive “Evil Genius”, Dr Victor Abimbola Olaiya finally granted us an audience after months of intensive lobbying by friends, family and yours truly. Better late than never I say.

As one of highlife music’s brightest stars, Victor Olaiya’s influence was indeed vast and far flung. His biggest break came when he was selected to headline the inaugural ball celebrating Nigeria’s independence from British colonial rule. The ball which was attended by a plethora of world leaders was memorable for a number of reasons, chief among them being the chorus of protest that rang loud and clear from his musical peers who didn’t think him worthy of such an opportunity and not to mention his family’s outrage at being kept completely in the dark about his burgeoning musical career in the first place.

A witty lyricist whose music cleverly showcased the heady optimism and hope many Nigerians felt following the nations independence, Olaiya was kind enough to breakdown the significant yet subtle differences between the Ghanaian and Nigerian variants of highlife music. His biggest hit, ‘Omo Pupa’ was a delightful ode to his preference for the lighter toned sisters, but truth was he loved ‘em in all shades and hues.