Now-Again Records

A “Wake Up You!” Preview – War-Head Constriction’s Devastating Nigerian Proto-Metal

Now-Again Records’ decade long investigation into Nigeria’s rock music scene during the 1970s culminates in Wake Up You: The Rise & Fall of Nigerian Rock. Vol. 1 comes out on Record Store Day.

Here’s a track from Wake Up You, Vol. 2, coming in May: War-Head Constriction’s “Shower of Stone”

Pitchfork.com – Record Store Day 2016’s Best and Weirdest Bets: “#1. Various Artists, Wake Up You V.1 : The Rise And Fall Of Nigerian Rock Music, 1972-1977. This 2xLP compilation of scene that catapulted Fela Kuti to global renown looks to be the type of carefully packaged set that will be well worth checking for at your local store. Nigerian-born writer Uchenna Ikonne, who helped make William Onyeabor’s 2013 album Who Is William Onyeabor? a reality, provides liner notes in a 104-page book that also includes previously unpublished photos.”

The Western world was in the throes of peace, love, and flower power as Nigeria descended into Civil War in 1967. The rock scene that developed during the following three years of bloodshed and destruction would come to heal the country, propagate the world-wide ideal of the Modern Nigerian, and propel Fela Kuti to stardom after conflict ended in 1970.

Wake Up You! tells the story of this time, pays homage to these now-forgotten musicians and their struggle, and brings to light the funk and psychedelic fury they created as they wrested free of the ravages of the late 1960s and created thrilling, original Nigerian rock music throughout the 1970s.

Wake Up You! is presented in two 100+ page books full of never-seen photos and the story of the best Nigerian rock bands told in vivid detail by musicologist and researcher Uchenna Ikonne.

Listen to Ify Jerry Krusade’s “Everybody Likes Something Good” (Wake Up You! Vol. 1)

Various – Wake Up You! Vol. 2

Buy it here.

VOL. 1

Tracklist:

CD:
1. Come Back – Theodore Nemy (4:07)
2. Slipping Into Darkness – The Funkees (4:37)
3. I Want A Break Thru – The Hykkers (3:08)
4. In The Jungle (Vocal) – The Hygrades (3:20)*
5. Babalawo – Shadow Abraham with Monomono Friend (3:25)
6. Wake Up You – Waves (4:02)
7. Shower Of Stone – War-Head Constriction (3:40)
8. Love – Question Mark (5:01)
9. Set Me Free – Action 13 (4:01)
10. Baby Rock – Jay U Experience (5:23)
11. Flying Bird – The Doves (3:31)
12. Awa Lani Arawa – Kukumbas (3:53)
13. Life Will Move – The Believers (5:10)
14. The Feelings – Tony Grey & the Black 7 (4:40)
15. Life In Cannan – Ceejebs (3:10)
16. Who Made the World – The Identicals (4:32)

LP:

A:
1. Come Back – Theodore Nemy (4:07)
2. Slipping Into Darkness – The Funkees (4:37)
3. I Want A Break Thru – The Hykkers (3:08)
4. In The Jungle (Vocal) – The Hygrades (3:20)*

B:
1. Babalawo – Shadow Abraham with Monomono Friend (3:25)
2. Wake Up You – Waves (4:02)
3. Shower Of Stone – War-Head Constriction (3:40)
4. Love – Question Mark (5:01)
5. Set Me Free – Action 13 (4:01)

C
1. Baby Rock – Jay U Experience (5:23)
2. Flying Bird – The Doves (3:31)
3. Awa Lani Arawa – Kukumbas (3:53)
4. Life Will Move – The Believers (5:10)

D
1. The Feelings – Tony Grey & the Black 7 (4:40)
2. Life In Cannan – Ceejebs (3:10)
3. Who Made the World – The Identicals (4:32)

This compilation produced by Eothen Alapatt and Uchenna Ikonne.
Liner notes by Uchenna Ikonne, edited by Eothen Alapatt.

Restoration and remastering by Dave Cooley for Elysian Masters, Los Angeles.
Art direction by Errol Richardson for Busy Monster, Toronto, Canada.
Cover photography by Gilles Caron.

Hardcover book with CD, 2LP with softcover book in custom bookholder, Digital. 2016. NA5125.

Various – Wake Up You! Vol. 1

Buy it here.

VOL. 1

Tracklist:

CD:
1. Never Never Let Me Down – Formulars Dance Band (3:58)
2. Keep On Moving – The Hygrades (4:04)
3. Everybody Likes Something Good – Ify Jerry Krusade (3:21)
4. In The Jungle (Instrumental) – The Hygrades (3:20)
5. Onye Ije – The Strangers (2:53)
6. Stone The Flower – The Hykkers (2:58)
7. Baby I Need You – The Funkees (3:380
8. Mother – Waves (4:14)
9. Beautiful Daddy – Ofo the Black Company (3:46)
10. Graceful Bird – War-Head Constriction (3:48)
11. Ije Udo – The Magnificent Zenians (3:51)
12 . Never Too Late – The Apostles (6:10)
13. Groove the Funk – Aktion (4:54)
14. Ballad of a Sad Young Woman – Wrinkar Experience (4:52)
15. I Can’t Be Satisfied – The Founders 15 (3:12)
16. Float – Tirogo (5:25)
17. Scram Out – Question Mark (3:48)
18. Tell Me – P.R.O. (8:13)

LP:

A:
1. Never Never Let Me Down – Formulars Dance Band (3:58)
2. Keep On Moving – The Hygrades (4:04)
3. Everybody Likes Something Good – Ify Jerry Krusade (3:21)
4. In The Jungle (Instrumental) – The Hygrades (3:20)
5. Onye Ije – The Strangers (2:53)

B:
1. Stone The Flower – The Hykkers (2:58)
2. Baby I Need You – The Funkees (3:380
3. Mother – Waves (4:14)
4. Beautiful Daddy – Ofo the Black Company (3:46)
5. Graceful Bird – War-Head Constriction (3:48)

C:
1. Ije Udo – The Magnificent Zenians (3:51)
2 . Never Too Late – The Apostles (6:10)
3. Groove the Funk – Aktion (4:54)
4. Ballad of a Sad Young Woman – Wrinkar Experience (4:52)

D:
1. I Can’t Be Satisfied – The Founders 15 (3:12)
2. Float – Tirogo (5:25)
3. Scram Out – Question Mark (3:48)
4. Tell Me – P.R.O. (8:13)

This compilation produced by Eothen Alapatt and Uchenna Ikonne.
Liner notes by Uchenna Ikonne, edited by Eothen Alapatt.

Restoration and remastering by Dave Cooley for Elysian Masters, Los Angeles.
Art direction by Errol Richardson for Busy Monster, Toronto, Canada.
Cover photography by Gilles Caron.

Hardcover book with CD, 2LP with softcover book in custom bookholder, Digital. 2016. NA5120.