“A missing jewel from a golden age of Nigerian music…..”
The only thing that set the music of Bola Johnson apart from the musical peers of that era was timing. When this young Nigerian bandleader and trumpeter emerged into the Lagos music scene, the sounds of Afrobeat/funk had been firmly established by the likes of Fela Kuti, juju’s King Sunny Ade and highlife’s Victor Olaiya. Though, if you listen to his music, you will see it was by no means inferior! He may not have attained such a high level of fame, but his music is greatly appreciated by those lucky enough to stumble upon it.
Now known as a “missing jewel from a golden age of Nigerian music“, Bola Johnson had a voice that could tackle any style – from highlife to Afrobeat/funk. And tackle these styles he did! His repertoire demonstrates this versatility perfectly.
Growing up with music, his earliest lessons and inspirations came from the Nigerian trumpet-playing legend, Eddy Okonta. In his teens he joined Eric Akeaze’s highlife band as asinger and maracas player and then became a resident player in the Easy Life Hotel in Mokola, Ibadan. When Eric Akeaze and his band left the Easy Life Hotel, Bola was asked to stay and set up the Easy Life Top Beats. Returning to Lagos in the late 60’s, Bola and his band recorded some of their funkiest tracks and in 1964, whilst he was still 17, he was signed to the Philips West African record label. Throughout the late-1960’s and early 1970’s, Bola Johnson & His Easy Life Top Beats recorded one album and a handful of 45’s for the label. Many have asked why it is he never recorded more material and why it was his music never really garnered the same level of attention as the other artists of the time.
One source has written of this: “According to Bola, the A&R people at Philips in those days allowed sentiment for the past to override their judgment in promoting new artists, because they had highlife giants on their label such as Osita Osadebe, Rex Lawson, Victor Olaiya and Bobby Benson, and so it was hard for younger artists to get their attention, backing and consequent exposure”
Lagos Sisi (Sisi loosely translating as ‘attractive woman’) was released as a single on Philips-West African-Records in 1973. Backed the not as groove-orientated Jeka Dubu, Lagos Sisi hits the spot for me when it comes to Nigerian funk! This is definitely my preferred style of Bola Johnson’s music and I do like the fierceness in his voice, specially when it is contrasted by the smoothness of his vocals in the spoken-groove parts! Such a cool song and so, so funky!!
Check it out above and if you fancy hearing more from this artist, head on over to Vampi Soul’s Bandcamp page, HERE! This Spanish label reissued some cool sounds from Bola Johnson back in 2019 on a compilation entitled, Man No Die.
Lagos Special is another groover on this album that I couldn’t help but share! Check it out below!
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