I lose count how many songs I listen to in the course of a day, let alone a week, but every so often I press play and instantly know there is something I am going to like/love about that track. Such was the case with today’s offering!
I am totally taken by the vocal harmonies in this song and love the way their gentle, undulating and very velvety tones envelop the ears. But, whilst vocals are massaging, the rhythms are a far more stimulating affair and as they dance wildly in the background, this symphony of beats provides a seamless contrast!
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!
Ire was the first 45 put out by the band and was released in 1971 on Polydor Records. Backed with God We Will Serve (which I unfortunately cannot find anywhere to include), the song also has a very groovy flute-filled middle part which only adds extra appeal to what is already a gorgeous (just over) three minutes! It’s a little delight and I am happy to be sharing!
Listen above and check out another song I’ve posted by this band on my page here! Enjoy!
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