Long out of print
soundtrack of experimental afro-jazz from 1978. A fine vintage!
Black Goddess is a 1978
movie written and directed by legendary Nigerian director Ola
Balogun. The soundtrack music is getting a stand alone release
courtesy of the good folks at Soundway Records.
So how does the
soundtrack stand up on its own without the accompanying visuals?
Pretty well actually. Comprising of six extended instrumentals, all
composed by one of Nigeria's top session musicians of the day, Remi
Kabaka, it opens with “Brothers and Sisters”, a chirpy,
clavichord driven groove with a jazzy sax solo.
The album really hits
its stride though with the following track “The Quest”. Beginning
with a plaintive and searching saxophone before the rest of the band
join in. Although the band only comprises of four members there's
plenty going on within the track's tight, repetitive polyrhythmic
grooves; african drums, bass and keys all locking in tightly to
provide a bedrock for the sax to take full flight.
“Slave March”
contains a sadness and slower tempo that its title suggests, with
call and response keys over a taut and popping bass line. Title track
and album highpoint “Black Goddess” contains a siren-like swing
atop tribal drums, with both tenor and soprano sax providing soaring
solos.
“The Quest (Piano
solo)” reprises the earlier tune on ghostly electric piano, before
the percussive album closer “The Warrior” lets the talking drums
have the final word.
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