Welcome to the Highlifeturntable. The purpose of this blog is to provide a way for people to listen to rare highlife music from Ghana and Nigeria. I plan to post tracks from my private collection along with a little commentary on what I know about the artist and what I like about the LP.


Monday, February 18, 2013

Bestman Doupere and his coastal pioneer dance band of Nigeria





















For the next selection on the highlife turntable, I have selected the track Amene Yerin Kenimiweremi , by Bestman Doupere and his coastal pioneer dance band of Nigeria, off a Felix record release.

I know very little about the performer.  John Beadle once sent me a record list that included this performer name and described him as a Ijaw highlife musician.  The Ijaw are the largest ethnic group in the Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta.  John goes on to say contemporary Ijaw highlife guitar music is called Awigiri and is a Nigerian style of highlife, which sounds most similar to Ghanaian guitar highlife.  The record came out in the early to mid 80's.

I really liked the lyricism of the vocals on this one.   Very soulful and engaging, they create an open and intimate sound throughout the song.  The stripped down guitar and drum playing is also tight and complements the richness of the vocals.  See what you think

Ubulujaja




5 comments:

  1. Yes! The musician in question is my biological father and the Ijaws are really proud of him.Please upload more of his albums for the entire world.

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    1. How interesting. Could you let me know what you know about his life and music. I'd love to update the turntable with this information? Maybe we can communicate directly if you email at ubulujaja at yahoo.com

      Thanks

      Michael Scott

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