Kabaka International Guitar Band / Lead by G. Kabaka Opara * Nigeria***, by Highlife from Nigeria

Kabaka International Guitar Band / Lead by G. Kabaka Opara * Nigeria*

by Highlife from Nigeria

supported by

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$8 USD or more
Full Digital Discography

110

releases

Get all 110 PALENQUE RECORDS releases available on Bandcamp and save 15%.

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of El Piloto - Alfonso Cordoba el Brujo - Diego Narvaez remix, MMADỤ ABỤRỌ CHUKWU - Ifé feat. Dandizzy, Acetune & Sparkle Tee ( Nigeria ), De Mar Y Rio - Bailen y Gocen, Edi Special - Oriental Brothers International Band -remix by Caribombo & DJ Rata Piano, Pambele - Te Entundo - New Single, Dj Rata Piano - Cañonazos Picoteros Vol 3, Oliver Nayoka, "The African Masquerade" - New single 2024, We No Fear (ChampetaMan) - Little Harry, the 80s Boss from Jamaica / rework by Solo Moderna, and 102 more. , and , .

Purchasable with gift card

$517.65 USD or more (15% OFF)

1.	Onye Ikekwere Meyeka 06:16	buy track
2.	Nmawu Ego Special 12:28	buy track
3.	Onuru Olu Nwa Bia Za 06:35	buy track
4.	Ijeuzoije Awunkpa 12:27	buy track

about

KABAKA INTERNATIONAL GUITAR BAND ( Nigeria )
Leaded by Kabaka Godwing Opara

Kabaka es uno de los grupos de Highlife mas respetados en la escena champetua en Colombia. Para nosotros es un orgullo y un motivo de gran alegria publicar esta reedicion de un disco que es inmortal en toda discografia champetua seria. Pa gozar sin moderacion !!

This album was recorded in the mid 80s, it is such a great classic for us, that we are very proud to present you this new re- edition of this classic from Igbo Highlife music. This music arrived to Colombia by sailors ans travelers, and gave birth to the Champeta mouvement.

Here we pay hommage to this Stars of highlife from Nigeria, that we love so much.

Kabakas Time

He ushered his august visitor into his living room, looking casual and awry. Perhaps, he was not expecting any visitor at that time of the day, when the sun was in its meridian splendor, and the stars in an ever unclouded firmament.Hanging strategically inside the village-setting living room, were some of his memorable photographs and awards he received back in time, confirming to one that he’s in the right place.
After several years of going underground, we went in search of one of the Igbo highlife legends, Godwin Opara, popularly called, Kabaka, the erstwhile member of oe of the firsts highlife group in Nigeria, The Oriental Brothers International Band.

In his country home, Imerienwe town, located about eighteen kilometers’ south east of Owerri, the capital of Imo State, Kabaka is less celebrated as a genius. He lives like every other villager, struggling to make ends meet. In fact, nothing differentiated this man of golden guitar and priceless awards from his kinsmen. “My people here mock me whenever we are joking, but they don’t know that I am not in their class,” he began.
Kabaka was part of the legendary Oriental Brothers Band international. However, recalled why he walked out of the group in 1977, to set up his own band.

But how far has he been able to record a major breakthrough several years after leaving the group? On this, Kabaka boasted that he released some albums that were commercially successful. His first album under Kabaka International Band, “Mangala Special” was a tribute to Nathaniel Ejiogu, a founding member of the Oriental Brothers who died shortly after the founding of the group (‘Mangala,’ his nickname, literally means a type of dry fish!) was a commercial success. Also, drawing a comparison between their time and today’s highlife musicians, Kabaka regretted that today’s highlife music lacks depth and rich in content. During their time, he said they were passionate about playing standard highlife music, blending Eastern Africa region’s Congolese guitar rhythm with traditional Igbo percussion rhythms, which is a total departure from the kind of highlife music that’s being played by today’s musicians. Kabaka recalls that his guitar then invoked both alien styles, which is why his generation stood out when it comes to playing the highlife music genre. Though, he revealed that they were paid as little as 25 kobo per an album by their recording label, it, however, did not in any way affect the quality of their sounds.
Speaking further, Kabaka said while he wants to be remembered for his music and creative ingenuity, he has a desire to set up a music school, in Owerri, where he hopes to be grooming aspiring highlife musicians.
Kabaka was a founding member of the Oriental International Band that mainly comprised of Ferdinand Dansatch Emeka Opara, Livinus Akwilla Alaribe, Fred “Ichita” Ahumaraeze and Christogonus Ezebuiro “Warrior” Obinna. The group first split in 1977, after Kabaka left to start his own band. He was replaced by Aloysius Anyanwu, a former guitarist with Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe’s Nigerian Sound Makers Band and a founding member of the Ikenga Super Stars band after they left Osadebe’s band. Later, Ichita and Livinus Akwila Alaribe equally left the band to form another group called the Great Oriental Band.

Licensed by Kabaka International Guitar Band. New album coming soon !

Mastered By Nick Robbins / Uk London

credits

released April 2, 2022

license

about

PALENQUE RECORDS Bogotá, Colombia

PALENQUE RECORDS is a label specialized in Afro-Colombian and african music, founded in 1996 by Lucas Silva Dj Champeta- Man.
Our artists : Son Palenque, Batata y su Rumba Palenquera, Colombiafrica, Abelardo CArbono, Sexteto Tabala, Faraon Bantu, Son Palenque and many more...from champeta to african music, Palenque Records puts together Africa & Afrocolombia. ... more

contact / help

Contact PALENQUE RECORDS

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Kabaka International Guitar Band / Lead by G. Kabaka Opara * Nigeria***, you may also like:

(Djibouti Archives Vol. 1) Super Somali Sounds from the Gulf of Tadjoura
by 4 Mars

supported by 14 fans who also own “Kabaka International Guitar Band / Lead by G. Kabaka Opara * Nigeria***”

If "Dhulka Hooyo" doesn't move your ass, you lack an ass, all its fuzzy keys-triumphant vocal harmonies an all. I often enjoy world music distantly, but this one has the feels--recommend, recommend. VAST DEFERENS
go to album
Star Band de Dakar: Psicodelia Afro-Cubana de Senegal
by Star Band de Dakar

supported by 13 fans who also own “Kabaka International Guitar Band / Lead by G. Kabaka Opara * Nigeria***”

This song sells it for me. Family Feet
go to album
Essiebons Special 1973 - 1984 // Ghana Music Power House (Analog Africa Nr. 33)
by Analog Africa

supported by 12 fans who also own “Kabaka International Guitar Band / Lead by G. Kabaka Opara * Nigeria***”

Amazing synthesizer & electric guitar jams that are pure in folk music essence, while really adhering to a rock n roll plus rock uptempo dub reggae vibe. cherub420
go to album
Ondatrópica (Deluxe Version)
by Ondatrópica

featured on Bandcamp Radio Jul 29, 2014
go to album
De Borondo
by La Jungla

A vibrant mini-album comprising four uplifting cumbia tracks from Colombia group La Jungla. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 6, 2023
go to album
Baile Bucanero
by Ondatrópica

featured on Bandcamp Radio Nov 29, 2016
go to album
Orchestre Massako (Limited Dance Edition Nr. 14)
by Analog Africa

supported by 12 fans who also own “Kabaka International Guitar Band / Lead by G. Kabaka Opara * Nigeria***”

Amazing recordings, thanks! Switch Groove
go to album