Chance Meeting
Friday February 16th, 2024 with Heavy Ben
Black History Month: Psychedelic Rock in 1970s Nigeria

Chance meeting on a rock exponent of fuzz and danger Thank you Soundway records for re-issuing much of this material over the past 20 years to to ears that otherwise would not hear this music. Pictured: Ofege was formed in the early 1970s by a bunch of teenage hippies at St. Gregory's College in the Obalende area of Lagos, Nigeria. Ofege was largely influenced by the guitar solos of Carlos Santana, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Francis Rossi, and the criss-cross rhythms of Osibisa. At home, they were influenced by the music of BLO (Berkley Jones, Laolu Akins and Mike Odumosu), Monomono (led by Joni Haastrup), The Funkees, and Ofo The Black Company. Comband Razor said "It's clear that for Ofege, songs were largely incidental, little more than excuses to launch into insane, distorted guitar solos. It's also very clear that they smoked a lot of weed." Their first album was recorded while the band members were still in high school (average age of 16). Due to their vibrant combo of sweet harmonies, hooks & fuzz, they would become one of the most legendary Nigerian groups of all time, with impressive sales and national stardom. However, with only four albums released through 1978 and no recognition outside Nigeria, Ofege’s short career would only be rediscovered with the turn of the century. (to embiggen the show icon, right-click and choose "Open image in new tab")