Not a Nigerian Scam: Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey

Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey and His Inter-Reformers Band.

As Deepak Chopra says, let that sink into the deepest corners of your consciousness.

What a name! What a sound!

The Chief Commander, as suits a man with a larger than life name, increased the participation rates in juju bands significantly.  His bands were large, often up to 20 people picking and drumming away, often as seemingly uncoordinated and chaotic as a Lagos rush hour in the rain. Talking drums, rhythm sticks, police whistles with guitars sliding and tweeting in and out of everything.  It can take some effort but focus helps to appreciate this music.  There are simply so many sounds and textures and beats happening at any given moment it is a challenge to find the golden thread that holds it altogether.  But it is there and it is Chief Commander’s liquid guitar runs.  Lightening quick. Barely visible. Building into a massive storm front.

The Chief of Juju music is someone who not only has an outsized sense of Self but a man who made his name massaging the egos of the rich and famous Nigerian set. He is also a true disciple of the Lord the most ultimate of all Chiefs and never misses a chance to sing praise to Jesus.

Intoxicating. Hypnotic. Complex. Rich.  This live concert album from 1989 is all of these things.

            Track Listing:

01.  Ose Olorum Oba

02.  Sisi Ba Millionaire Lo

03.  Ile Ti Ya

04.  Koseni Tomo Ojo Ola

05.  To Ba Je Tere

06.  Erawa Oloyon Momo

07.  Awa Eve Iwoyi

08.  What God Has Joined Together

09.  E Ma Se Lo-Finale

here