Even though this track was pressed on a respectably large label, the band themselves are something of a relative mystery. Coming together in the early 1970’s, The Mebusas hailed from Nigeria. A multitalented collective of about five musicians (I think?), the band were known to fuse elements of soul, funk and psych-rock together with Latin, Caribbean and African flavours. What came out, as I’m sure you will guess, was a full-bodied sound, satisfying to most taste (ear) buds who are partial to that certain ‘funky-soul-world-mix’.
Song of Mr Bulldog (not to be confused with another well-known number of theirs called Mr Bulldog – which I couldn’t resist posting below), was issued on a label called Afrodisia in 1972. The story behind this label is that this was an African record label, founded in 1972 by Decca (West Africa) Limited. Decca was later taken over by Polygram and sold its West African rights to Afodisia. This changed hands once again in 1981 when the Fonior group purchased the label!! I don’t know about you, but I find these random details about labels quite interesting?? Anyway, the track was released as a single in 1972 (b/w Goodbye Friends) and later released on their Volume 1. Blood Brothers LP….which may be the only way you can get a copy of this track as the original 45 is an absolute rarity!! Enjoy!
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