Funky Makossa – Rock Town Express, 1974

In the early 70s, Nigerian singer Dan Ian brought Edjo’o Jacques Racine and Ginger Forcha over from Cameroon to form Wrinkar Experience, but vanished after a few months. Left stranded in eastern Nigeria, Racine and Forcha set up Rock Town Express and produced several searing afro-funk and afro-rock albums denouncing the evils of the Biafran war and its atrocious consequences on the people of south-eastern Nigeria. This album is the first in the series, released in 1974 (here the 2017 reissue – the original is out of reach!). It opens with the irresistible Funky Makossa, and continues between saturated guitars and the beginnings of afrobeat. A must-listen!