The Don Isaac Ezekiel Combination were a band formed by three ex-members of Fela Kuti’s 1960s highlife-jazz outfit, the Koola Lobitos – this being the prototype band Fela Kuti set-up before changing the name to Africa 70 in 1970.
Consisting of Don Kemonah, Isaac Olasugba and Ezekiel Hart, these highly accomplished musicians formed the D.I.E Combination band in the early 1970’s, just at the same time when Fela was beginning to revolutionise the music scene in Lagos with his pioneering Afrobeat sound!
After issuing three singles for Polydor in the early 1970’s, some of the band members turned their sights to overseas work. Isaac and Ezekiel moved to Italy, releasing an album entitled Soul-Rock, but this was to be their last ever musical release. Meanwhile, in London, Don Kemonah was part of the band, Shakatu with Al Anderson (Bob Marley’s guitar player) and Remi Kabaka (nigerian percussionist)…and his career didn’t end their as he then went on to record for Island Records, working with a wealth of renown artists over the coming years!
Amalinja, b/w Fall On Your Knees and Pray, was the band’s third single, cut in 1972. This glorious afrobeat specimen is definitely not short of a a few funky beats and big vibrant melodies, all of which are more than a match for the fierce-yet-soothing vocals! Check it out above.
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