CHIEF UDOH ESSIET
Time for Highlife (Chief Udoh Essiet)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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I've discovered a great deal of music through the Internet, and I'm happy to pass on my latest African discovery: Chief Udoh Essiet's Highlife Band. A long-time Paris resident, Chief Udoh immigrated to France after playing with some of Africa's best known musicians, including Rex Lawson and King Sunny Ade. The Chief also played solo congas with Fela Anikulapo Kuti, and Time for Highlife features some great world-beat African sounds made for dancing like "Bonsue," "Why You Do Me So," and "Time for Highlife." Along with Chief Udoh on a hand-held African drum, there's Nicolas "Ringo" Avom on drums, Ahmed Barry on bass, and Jacques Djeyim on guitar. Jacques shares vocals with the Chief, Joelle Esso and Sherry Margolin. Yes, she's Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin's sister, and she's stretching that Margolin musical magic halfway around the world. Check out the Chief of World Beat online, including links to MP3s, at http://sherry.free.fr/Chief_Udoh_Essiet.html.

Track List:

I Don't Care * Why You Do Me So? * Bonsue * Oh Yeah * Ikut * Time for Highlife * Udono Anam Eyen * Nyom Ndikut Obon * Saturday * Mayedi

© 2001 - Eric Steiner