By fusing the sounds of Africa with western rock and prog influences, Osibisa can lay claim to being one of the most original-sounding groups of the early 1970's, with a rich and diverse palate of musical sounds and styles. Made up of four Africans and three Caribbean members, Osibisa were formed by the one constant throughout their long career, the versatile and ambitious Ghanian saxophone player Teddy Osei. With a joyous and exotic mixture of flutes, saxophones, guitars, bongo's, trumpets and African rhythms, their first two albums reached No.11 in the 1971 UK album charts and alongside such contemporaries as Assagai, Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath, Demon Fuzz, Danta and Noir, Osibisa forged ahead in establishing world music as a widely popular and commercial genre. These rare broadcasts capture the band in its infant days, taking those innovative sounds to Germany and Norway.
London Calling presents a stunning snapshot of seminal Afro Rock icons; Osibisa, performing material from their first two albums live in Europe! Fully restored and professionally remastered original broadcasts with background notes and timeline photos.
Side 1 ‘Beat Club’, Bremen, Germany July 24th 1971 Radio Bremen 1. Phallus C
As ‘Ayiko Bia (Osibisa)’ Njårdhallen, Oslo, Norway November 15th 1971 NRK1 TV Broadcast by NRK1 on 10th January 1972 2. Music For Gong-Gong 3. Y Sharp
Side 2 1. Spirits Up Above 2. Beautiful Seven 3. Ayiko Bia