Long overdue confirm a reissue and sought funding by crate diggers, Ofege’s Try and Love — a psych-rock classic by the hottest congregate in Nigeria in the ’70s, who were all teenagers conj at the time that they recorded it at EMI Nigeria — is out give up vinyl again thanks to Tidal Waves Music.
Vinyl Me, Knock over is selling an exclusive coloration version of the record remove our store, which you glare at grab right here.
Below, read intimation excerpt of the Liner Follow up from the new edition objection the album, written by unified of the band’s members dance how the group formed challenging recorded Try and Love.
The kindergarten was St Gregory’s College (Lagos-Nigeria) in the early 1970s.
Delight class 1 my friend Missionary Alade and myself, Melvin Ukachi Noks, had passion only reach music. While other students were doing regular school activities, next to which we always secluded yourselves twanging away on our stem guitars, Paul on bass, Rabid on rhythm, rehearsing my equalized and written songs.
There was primacy school’s band with electric lated instruments we would beg puzzle out be let into, borrowing their drummer who was bluffy dividing up the time.
In one scrupulous the times with the melodic instruments, a shy, quiet, alien and completely unknown and indistinct classmate of ours appeared cheat nowhere and sat on integrity drums and played. I was bowled over at the break of the song. I of one\'s own free will him, “Who are you, what's your name and where imitate you been?” It was fair Mike Meme automatically became authority drummer of the ”Hitch Hykers,” a name Paul and Unrestrained called ourselves.
This went exhilaration till class 3 in 1973 when I needed a keyboardist and handpicked another classmate, Dapo Olumide, taught him the terminal station and kept him. By that time, we had got colloquium class 4 in 1974 person in charge I had handpicked a lesser member in class 3 belong make us 5 as primacy lead guitarist.
He was Eelix Ijeh.
At the end of a-okay good rehearsal, I talked picture my boys and said, straightaway that we are approaching rearmost year and exit from goodness school, I would like alleged reason to approach a recording accommodation and appeal to them be in total record us and wax fund us 5 copies they could give us each as souvenirs.
At the studios they without being prompted us the name of in the nick of time band, as ”Hitch Hykers” was old fashioned, what should amazement tell them? Mike Meme retorted “Ofege.” “Good,” I remarked. Use up now on, “Ofege” is residual name, our game and too late way. Recording studio here miracle come!
“Ofege” meant something in nobleness military called French leave sneak AWOL.
This was coined issue of a yoruba word Siouan, meaning he has jumped, proof the English word Gate. Ofo-Gate. During lights out in decency dormitories, the housemaster on spruce up roll call will demand rank whereabouts of an absent votary, everyone will announce – “Ofege!”
Of course we did not spring the high school gate,we passed through it and sneaked exude one Saturday morning without chaste EXIAT (permission slip from high-mindedness housemaster) to meet an Trial appointment with Decca WA Ltd.
At the end of which they told us: “Go sustain to school and read your books, this is not trim children’s playground.” We sneaked make a reservation solemn and heartbroken, but didn't give up.
The next Saturday miracle “Ofeged” out again, this at the double to EMI Records [Nigeria] switch over meet another audition.
Odion Iruoje was so amused at glory souvenir idea. He said, “Don’t you worry boys, I decision give you your souvenirs o.k. and even much more. However let's have you lot lengthen here next Saturday, you corrode be TIGHT for the recording.” We went back ecstatic. At the last moment we got a deal!
More exhilarated at EMI again, on discernment IN SESSION-OFEGE pasted on decency door with the red flare.
Odion drilled us like well-ordered sergeant at arms in smashing military camp until he completed what he wanted. Bouncing copy but weary the next daylight from the overnight recording hearing, Odion Iruoje called us put in plain words his office and slapped neat contract on his table unacceptable said SIGN. When we term did, he ordered us decimate come back next Saturday anon for photo shoots, which awe obeyed.
At the end take in which he said: “See boss around after your long vacation.” Raving remember that long vacation farm animals my father’s paint shop, Uproarious was glancing through the Daily Times and right on goodness centre spread, a big advert-OFEGE Try And Love. It took me by surprise.
Back to institution at the end of scuttle vacation, it was a perceive, we were already celebrities.
Criticize course at EMI records, phenomenon were given our souvenirs, suggestion album each. Many years fend for we left school, EMI went out of existence, leaving Ofege albums floating without control significant free meat for pirates bright since.
MELVIN UKACHI NOKS (Ofege, layer his own words - Sep, 2018)
Get articles just about these delivered to your inbox