Ofege: Try And Love 1973 + The Last Of The Origins 1975 + Higher Plane Breeze 1977

 

Ofege was a Nigerian band formed in the early 1970s by a group of teenage hippies at St. Gregory's College in Lagos. Influenced by guitar legends like Carlos Santana and Jimmy Page, as well as African bands like Osibisa, Ofege created a unique blend of psychedelic rock and Afrobeat. Formed

by guitarist Melvin Ukachi and bassist Paul Alade while young students at St Gregory’s school in Lagos, Ofege first found their feet borrowing instruments and supporting school band The Groove Makers. Discovering drummer Mike Meme by chance at a school dance and adding Dapo Olumide on keys and Felix Inneh on rhythm guitar, they met EMI’s resident producer / A&R man, Odion Iruoje who promptly auditioned them. Sneaking them out of school to record their first sessions (Ofege literally means “breaking bounds”),
                    

Their debut album "Try And Love" was recorded while they were still in high school and became a national sensation. Although their career was short-lived, with only four albums released until 1978,

Ofege's music would be rediscovered in the 21st century. Their third album, Nobody Fails, showcased their post-60s harmony vocals and wild guitar solos. The fusion of complex African rhythms with fuzzy psychedelic effects made for an exhilarating listening experience. On their fourth album, The Last Of The Origins, Ofege delved into funk-rock with a psychedelic twist. With catchy rhythms and mind-bending instrumentals, this record solidified their reputation as one of Nigeria's most legendary groups.
                  

Despite limited recognition outside Nigeria during their time, Ofege's music continues to captivate

audiences today.  At the turn of the century (and because of tracks appearing on various psychedelic music compilations) Ofege would receive international acknowledgment for being the first of their kind and the ultimate West-African psychedelic funk band!
                                

LINE - UP

Melvin Noks: Lead Vocals/Rhythm.
Paul Alade: Bass Guitar.
Mike Meme: Drums.
Soga Benson: Lead/Solo Guitar.
Felix Ijeh: Rhythm/Tenor Guitar.
Dapo Olumide: Keyboards.
Felix Inneh: Percussionist. 

01.  OFEGE - TRY AND LOVE 1973

                          

Ofege's debut album Try and Love is the most famous LP by this psych rock band from Nigeria. They're one of the most famous African psych rock groups and it's easy to see why. They were teenagers when they recorded this debut LP of theirs and the result is a strong record in every point of view. Their style is

kinda raw and simple but I really enjoy their fuzz guitar and organ driven sound. The album is an extremely balanced package of high quality psychedelic rock and I could choose any of these songs as a highlight example. Groovy psychedelic soul with moments of jaw-dropping ramshackle brilliance, like on "It's Not Easy" and "Lead Me On." Indeed, life may not be very easy, but Ofege sure makes it seem that way. Dazzlingly good Nigerian rock music from the 1970s from Ofege, whose hybrid psych-funk sound sounds like it hasn't aged a day on this wonderful re-mastering job.
                      

Ofege – Try And Love
Label: Tidal Waves Music – TWM20
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Club Edition, Limited Edition, Bronze
Country: US
Released: Nov 2018
Genre: Rock, Funk / Soul
Style: Psychedelic Rock, Funk

TRACKS

                            

01. Nobody Fails   4:24
Written By – Melvin Ukachi
02. Whizzy Ilabo   3:32
Written By – Melvin Ukachi    
03. Gbe Mi Lo   4:15
Written By – Melvin Ukachi    
04. Try And Love   4:19
Written By – Melvin Ukachi
05. It's Not Easy   4:25
Written-By – Alade
06. Ofege   4:00
Written By – Melvin Ukachi
07. You Say No   4:09
Written By – Melvin Ukachi
08. Lead Me On   3:23
Written By – Melvin Ukachi

LINE - UP

Bass – Paul Alade
Drums – M-Ike Meme
Keyboards – Dapo Olumide
Lead Guitar – Berkley Jones
Lead Vocals – Melvin Ukachi
Lyrics By – Melvin
Rhythm Guitar – Felix Inneh
Vocals – Felix Inneh, M-Ike Meme, Paul Alade

Flac Size: 214 MB
    
02,  OFEGE - THE LAST OF THE ORIGINS 1975

                               

"The Last Of The Origins" is a great funk-rock record with a rather psychedelic approach. The rhythm

section is attractive and complex and has African inspirations. The lyrics aren’t particlulary inspired, but the drive is incredible, and they draw attention to instrumental parts wherever they can. The psychedelic organ takes care of the mind-losing groove, while fuzz guitars soar and improvise. The 60s influenced vocals can be reminiscent of the Stones, or just leave themselves flooding with the psychedelic drive. 
                               

Ofege – The Last Of The Origins
Label: Tidal Waves Music – TWM24
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue
Country: US
Released: Nov 23, 2018
Genre: Rock, Funk / Soul
Style: Psychedelic, Funk, Afro

TRACKS

                        

01, Mandy   5:08
Written-By – Olumide, Melvin
02, Amayo   5:15
Written-By – Meme    
03, Evil Child   4:09
Written-By – Melvin    
04, Tomorrow   4:48
Written-By – Melvin    
05, Got A Lot To Give   4:49
Written-By – Meme, Alade    
06, Sorrow   6:03
Written-By – Alade    
07, Ofege In Concert   2:24
Written-By – Meme    
08, Everybody Feels The Same   4:08
Written-By – Meme, Alade    
09, Adio   4:17
Written-By – Meme    
10, Devils Work   5:27
Written-By – Inneh, Meme

LINE - UP

Vocals, Gong – Filix Inneh
Bass Guitar, Vocals – Paul Alade
Congas – Philly Foxxy
Drums, Vocals, Percussion – M-Ike Meme
Guitar [1st] – Berkly Jones
Guitar [2nd] – Olushoga Benson
Keyboards – Dapo Olumide
Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals, Percussion – Melvin Noks
Strings, Synthesizer [Violin Effect] – Francis Monkman
Synthesizer [Moog] – Johnny Wood

NOTES

Originally released on EMI (Nigeria) in 1976.
First vinyl reissue since 1976.
    

Flac Size: 303 MB

03.  OFEGE - HIGHER PLANE BREEZE  1977

                         

Given the accomplished musicianship and gravity of emotions on display here, it’s hard to believe that

Ofege’s members were all between 15 and 17 during the recording of Try and Love. These Lagos students come off as rock-infatuated youths expressing feelings of love for the first time, and it’s absolutely charming. More strikingly, the songs sound as if they could’ve been the handiwork of London art-school proggers, Arthur Lee’s post-Forever Changes Love, or the filthy funkateers rescued for posterity by 2003’s Chains and Black Exhaust comp.
                       

Ofege – Higher Plane Breeze
Label: Tidal Waves Music – TWM36
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Clear
Country: US
Released: Jul 31, 2019
Genre: Rock, Funk / Soul
Style: Psychedelic Rock, Funk, Afrobeat, Boogie

TRACKS

                      

01. Bazooka Bash    3:57
02. To Be Wise    4:04
03. Contraband    4:05
04. Come Right Back    4:48
05. H.P.B.    4:35
06. Our People    5:02
07. Magic Music    3:39
08. It's All Over    3:34

LINE - UP

Bass – Paul Alade
Drums – Mike Meme
Guitar [Lead] – Olushoga Benson
Keyboards – Robert Bailey
Keyboards [Uncredited] – Dapo Olumide
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Kiki Gyan (tracks: A3)
Lead Vocals – Melvin Noks
Percussion, Congas – M-Ike Meme
Strings – Miranda (English Rose) (tracks: A4)

Flac Size: 188 MB