Vampi Soul – VAMPI 107
"They thought I moved Highlife music out of the ordinary. Then, it was
believed that my Highlife was a little bit out of this world, beyond
explanation. This was why Alhaji Alade Odunewu of the Daily Times styled
me The Evil Genius of Highlife." (Victor Olaiya)
Victor Olaiya is certainly one of the legendary foundation stones of
modern Nigerian music, yet he has never received much acknowlegement or
really had his albums released or promoted in any quantity outside of
Nigeria. So this Vampisoul release is a step in the right direction and
not before time, for a 77 years old who was probably Nigeria's leading
star of 50's and early 60's, his golden years. Dr. Victor Abimbola
Olaiya, the evil genius of Highlife, is still sockin' it to them after
60 years on stage. If you're lucky you can catch him blowing that
trumpet and singing his heart out at his own celebrated 'Stadium Hotel'
in Lagos, Nigeria.
This album from 1970 is from Olaiya's Highlife / Funk phase, but its
worth taking a trawl through his back pages to see how he became the
Evil Genius, before you roll back the rug and get down with the
Highlife-Funk.
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