The Funkees

The Funkees
Origin Nigeria
Genres afro-funk, funk
Years active late 1960's - 1977
Members Harry Mosco
Chyke Madu
Sonny Akpabio
Jake N. Sollo
Danny Heibs
Tony Mallett
Mohammed Ahidjo
Roli Paterson

The Funkees were an afro-rock group formed in Nigeria in the late 1960s. They moved to London in 1973 and quickly gained prominence in the West African and West Indian music scene, before fragmenting four years later.[1] They specialized in a brand of funky, upbeat, highly danceable afro-rock that often featured lyrics sung in Igbo, as well as English.[2] Originating as an army band after the Nigerian Civil War, they contributed to the outpouring of upbeat music produced by young people in Nigeria in response to the darkness of the recently concluded civil conflict.[3] In 2012, Soundway Records reissued a compilation of their recordings from the mid-70s, leading to a resurgence of interest in the band.[4]

Members

  • Harry Mosco — guitar, vocals, gong
  • Chyke Madu — drums, vocals
  • Sonny Akpabio — congas
  • Jake N. Sollo — guitar, organ, piano, vocals
  • Danny Heibs — bass, vocals, percussion
  • Tony Mallett
  • Mohammed Ahidjo — vocals, percussion
  • Roli Paterson — bongos

Discography

  • 1974 — Point of No Return
  • 1976 — Now I'm A Man
  • 2012 — Dancing Time: The Best of Eastern Nigeria's Afro Rock Exponents 1973-77 (reissue compilation)

References

  1. ↑ "Afrobeat Music: The Funkees".
  2. ↑ "Dusted Reviews: The Funkees - Dancing Time".
  3. ↑ "This is Africa, The Funkees - Dancing Time: The Best of Eastern Nigeria's Afro Rock Exponents".
  4. ↑ "Pop Matters Review of Dancing Time".
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