{"title":"Afrodisia","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfrodisia is an African record label that was founded in 1972 by Chief Moshood Abiola and band-leader-musician [Ebenezer Obey] in Nigeria. Originally known as Decca (WA) Ltd., the label underwent changes in ownership over the years. In 1979, Decca was taken over by PolyGram and sold its West African rights to Afrodisia. Then, in 1981, the [PolyGram] Group purchased the label.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUnder Afrodisia, releases from this label carried the suffix \"DWA,\" which stands for Decca West Africa. The Nigerian indigenization decrees of 1972 and 1977 played a significant role in the transition of ownership. As a result, beginning in 1976, the Decca label and WAPS series were gradually replaced by Afrodisia and DWAPS series respectively. This transformation marked a new era for the label.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBy 1981, Afrodisia became fully Nigerian-owned and changed its name to Afrodisia Ltd. Vinyl albums continued to be released under this company until 1989 when they ceased production. Notably, in 1983, Ebenezer Obey secured the rights to all his past recordings and used both original Decca and Afrodisia catalogue numbers for re-releases on his new Eben-Ops Records label.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"spiritual-conection","title":"Spiritual Conection","description":"\u003cp\u003eKiller fuzzy guitar driven afro funk masterpiece from Benin. AURA's journey could be best described as a spiritual call to connect man and music. Each new day brought in new and more difficult problems. In the hardest of times Aura lost their original lead guitarist. Green-Bird real name Dannie Stewart - a Jamaican, humble, handsome, and talented to the bones. He was too nice to die. He was drowned in a river within the historical city of Benin. All friendly hearts cried and cried, a memory too sad to recollect. Aura's journey sorrowly went along. Full of accedents, and frustration. We nearly crash-landed. Thanks to Sheila, for her love and courage. Uzo, a true frendship that inspired every-body in Aura. He solved so many problems. Gratitude is the only word of our choice. The Lawsons and the Shotade family also have their very noble thanks; they were nice and helpful. Many more thanks to the numerous friends and heart-felt appriciations to Mr. J. H. Booth - Decca's new Director for his kindness and the entire staff that made this great 8 track maiden stereo album possible. A solid belief in ourselves has pushed this group to this point; Aura making an \"Astral Trip\". This is an album which is a sincere sweet fruit of determination, soulful enough to turn you loose into true life experiences of good music.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll I owe you is love and appriciation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eZEE-TEI DEBEKEME\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJuly 20, 1976.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Afrodisia","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50435409609035,"sku":"1040780","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"thank-u-mamma","title":"Thank U Mamma","description":"\u003cp\u003eBorn in Cameroon, Vicky began banging the drums at the age of 9. By 13 he had moved onto bass and within a couple of years he was playing every night from 10pm to 5am in the Castel Douala Cabaret. At the age of 19 Vicky moved to Paris to study Banking and Commerce and cram in even more music. He took classes at Épinay-sur-Seine Conservatoire music school and it was here that he met Bandmates of his Dikalo project. Word spreads and he soon becomes one of the most sought after bass players in the Afro arena. His session work features on many scenes stars; Manu Dibango, Eko Tala AM, Kemayo, Sammy Massamba, Toto Guillaume and many more. A chance meeting with the Gibson brothers also see him play on two of their hit albums. In the 80's Vicky moved to the US for spell and excels as a session bassist and touring musician. We pick up the story in 1981. With his stature as a musician and bass player riding high he takes a detour to Nigeria to record with the Afrodisia label in Lagos. The \"Thank U Mamma\" album is the result. It is repressed for the first time, here in 2018 on the revitalised Afrodisia label. Musical proceedings open up with the heartfelt ode to his mother \"Thank U Mamma\", smooth pop meets afrobeat boogie. \"Marina Drive\" slows things down with its smoldering jazz. Side Two opens with \"Its Not Serious\" a catchy vocal number underpinned with funky guitars and striding basslines. \"Stormy Rain\" is lazy guitar jazz swansong. We close off the album with the ever so funky \"You\". Slick funk grooves powered along with a dose of slap bass. As a side note Vicky actually plays left handed but with a \"upside down\" right handed bass. This upside-down precursor making his effortless slap playing even more impressive. Vicky went on to record a two other albums and still tours and plays as an ever-in-demand session musician.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Afrodisia","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50435982950731,"sku":"1034274","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/13bc4b5e-aca7-45ce-be11-1e3a9baeab30_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726910677"},{"product_id":"give-me-a-chance-1","title":"Give Me A Chance","description":"\u003cp\u003eChristy Essien was one of the leading female recording artists of her time in Nigeria. She was born in Akwa Ibom State in 1960 and enjoyed an accomplished career as a musician and an actress. Having conquered the music and TV worlds Christy moved on to feature in some of the early Hollywood films such as \"Flesh and Blood\" and \"Scars of Womanhood\", both of which addressed issues of child abuse and female circumcision. With a desire to make life better for Nigerian artists. She is also credited as having initiated the first meeting that brought about the formation of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria in 1981.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDubbed Nigeria's \"First Lady Of Song\", Christy produced a respectable 9 studio albums across a number of labels. Her fifth album \"Give Me A Chance\" was released in 1980 by Afrodisia, and is being officially reissued again by the prolific Nigerian label.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Give Me A Chance\" showcases an impressive move on from her last album with a nice amount of variety. Her classic funky disco sound is most evident in what is her most notable song on the album \"Rumours\". This much sought after disco number is joined by a couple more disco grooves such as \"Nobody Can Stop You\" and \"Onwu\". \"Ife\" meaning love inflicts a little bit of reggae into the mix while the remaining tracks (\"Saboteurs\", \"Don't Let Me Down\", \"Ikan Idomo\" and title track \"Give Me A Chance\") take more of a traditional afrobeat - meets ballad approach. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eChristy died after a brief illness in 2011. Close to the time of her death, she was involved in numerous successful businesses, organization and running the non-governmental organisation Essential Child Care Foundation involved in child welfare. Christy's achievements and awards are numerous. Too numerous to mention. Perhaps her greatest achievement however is her contribution to building a peaceful and tolerant Nigeria - which, alongside moral uprightness, remain constant themes of her songs.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Afrodisia","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50484365951307,"sku":"1061881","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_da994da5_thumbnail_4096_75e545d2-2bba-4e4d-b306-ffef2d7a065b.jpg?v=1726903164","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/afrodisia.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}