The Funkees - Akula Owu Onyeara

In the early 1970s The Funkees were the number-one east Nigerian band.
Akula Owu Onyeara is taken from 'Dancing Time: The Best of Eastern Nigeria's Afro Rock Exponents 1973 - 77' released earlier this year on Soundway.
Also featured on 'Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Nigerian Blues 1970-6 Part 1', this track is just one tasty slice of funky Afro-rock grooves hand picked by Soundway's Miles Cleret. Click here to subscribe to Soundway Records - www.bit.ly/sub2...
MUSIC FROM PLANET EARTH: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE
Soundway Records was conceived in 2002 by label owner Miles Cleret whilst returning from Ghana with a hoard of dusty old 45s and LPs that had mostly not been heard outside the former Gold Coast since their original release. Planned on a whim the trip was not one of the carefully planned research expeditions that Miles would later embark on to any number of far-flung tropical destinations. On the contrary he left England with no idea of what he might find or that it might be the start of a career in the record business.
Although the label has it's roots in West Africa the scope has grown to include many other parts of the tropical belt with the aim of making available recordings that have in most cases never been available outside of their original countries and often not even there for over 30 years. Over the years Soundway's modus operandi has been to approach the music from a different angle from many of the more established "World Music" labels. By focusing on more obscure artists as well as big names and often concentrating on progressive recordings more in sync with Cleret's generation and background in DJ culture and dance-music. Styles have included afro-beat, funk, highlife, ethio-jazz, molam, calypso, cumbia, champeta, biguine, latin-jazz and disco as well as many unclassifiable recordings.
Since 2012 Soundway has begun releasing new material from a carefully selected handful of contemporary recording artists including acclaimed acts Ondatropica, Bomba Estereo and Ibibio Sound Machine
www.soundwayrec...
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[@iam_bantu-eh3bz]

WE CHILDREN OF THE 60"s ARE THE LUCKIEST GENERATION....WAO...

[@primeminister51]

"Akula Owu Onye Ara," defined a generation that is winding down their lives. I'm glad I was a part of that generation who witnessed the musical transformation from Biafra to Nigeria. The Funkees were a product of Biafra's resistance and a testament of the Igbo resolve. They were mostly high school students or just recently graduated from high school when providence (Biafra/Nigeria war) altered their educational ambitions and forced them into music as a means of escape and indulgence. Chyke Madu and Harry Mosco first joined Celestine Ukwu while Jake Solo was with the Hykkers. After the war, Harry, Chyke and Jake formed the Funkees and added Mohammed Ahidjo on vocals (formerly with the Atomic 8 of Aba) and Dan Hibe on bass, Billy Aike on keyboard and Sonny Akpan on conga and percussion. They were the best innovative and uncompromising group around and never conformed to any music conventional wisdom. Their defiance suited the brash character and reflected the tough attitude of the town they are residents of, Aba. Aba is as tough as New York, if not tougher. You gotta be as hard as a nail to live in Aba, and the Funkees embodied that. This song, Akula Owu Onye Ara, is about the erratic behaviors of lunatics whose behaviors are controlled by some melancholic spirits unknown to a sane person. Aba residents are crazy in so many subtle ways.

[@stephenvis]

Thank you

[@valerieickstadt4044]

Yes, thanks for taking time to explain

[@martinzelestre624]

u just compared streets of NIGERIA to some western city?? other than that the thank you for the information really interesting to know about them.

[@primeminister51]

@@martinzelestre624 I stand by my comparison only in terms of tenacity, resolve, and doggedness but not in terms of developments. If you can survive the rough and tumble of Aba Town in Nigeria, you can make it anywhere.

[@hannahs1683]

I thought the song meant “you don’t have to be lonely”? Also thanks, I didn’t know all that

[@blessedlove2113]

Listening from Kenya 🇰🇪. RESPECT to Nigeria 🇳🇬 👏

[@shjakes]

I came here for the bass...

[@jamespigeon1399]

“Funk is an intangible object. It cant be teached, traded, or bought. You either have it, or you don’t. The Funkees defanintly had it.”

[@jeremyteissedre113]

Mdr c unf me

[@OlieOkolie-hy2no]

Quality funk beats from Africa ... today's "afro beats" from computer beats producers should always pay respect to the originators of this type of funk beats of the 1970s.

[@ikezilaw]

Who are the haters that gave this music a "thumbs down"? Oh yes.. Hawu nde' ara.

[@primeminister51]

Amanzingly superb. Despite not having formal musical lessons or trainings, these Ibo boys defiled all the odds stacked against them to produce one of the defining songs of their era. As a kid growing up in Port Harcourt, I met the drumer Chyke while he was attending Stellar Maris College. His parents lived on Bonny Street. I know his younger brothers too.

[@chudinwoye2853]

It's amazing, considering the fact that they were just emerging from the terrible fratricidal war of Nigeria and Biafra.

[@papajgunjamal6409]

Nice one my brother

[@sandrorakovac9028]

This drummer is total king

[@umaruhassan69]

Really these guys are wonderful, even though I don't speak ibo, I like the drumbeats

[@cosmosgeoman2510]

You're so amazing in your explanation and a master at your craft. Thanks for the insight.

[@fmebrs]

Came here via action bronson - let it rain Glad I came :)

[@susanpereyeibo7576]

This is truly a funky and classic masterpiece

[@ogechukwuezeife5654]

I’m an 80s child. I heard Charly Boy’s remix of the song while growing up. Never ever heard this original version! I suddenly remembered it & came on KZbin to search for the Charly Boy’s version, only to meet this original one and I’m like ‘Damn!’ Good music!! No wonder Charly Boy had to remix!!😅❤️❤️❤️

[@omodelerufai]

This reminds of a lovely childhood

[@bickliffeoba1620]

One of the greatest dancehall songs back in the day. I was about 12 years at the time. We used to peep into the dancehalls where the big boys and girls were digging it out. This song made a big impression on my mind then; but I didn't know the name of the band the released this great music. Now I have known. Thank you Funkees!

[@egbeomooduduwa997]

1971 Main Market Onitsha! Walking back from Santa Maria Primary. Precious memories 💕😍

[@celestineikpe869]

Akula Owu Onyeara is one of the best of The Funkees . Bravo.

[@Sam-fd5yj]

I WANT TO APPRECIATE THE BEAUTIFUL AND HARD WORK OF THESE YOUNG MEN FROM BIAFRA, NIGERIA. ESPECIALLY FOR THE INGENUITY AND THE DESTERITY DISPLAYED IN THE REALIZATION OF THIS GREAT WORK IN A TIME THE BIAFRANS, WERE JUST COMING OUT OF THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR OF BIAFRA , HAVING GONE THROUGH EMOTIONAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND MENTAL STRESS AND STILL BE ABLE TO PRODUCE GREAT MUSIC, THAT HAVE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME AND STILL CONTINUE TO MAKE WAVE ALL OVER THE PLANET EARTH . AUGIRI , Italian word for congratulation

[@TheChinster619]

Sent here by NSG - Lose My Cool

[@BDBreezeMedia]

2:20 that sample flip clean 💎

[@paulinusokolie593]

Reminds me of my secondary school years at Abbot, Ihiala. Beautiful Afrobeat

[@user-kw7iw4se5t]

the movie, total madness by Osuofia, Mr Ibu and Okay Obakassi brought me here

[@letschill247]

Great song and it does get even better at 3:25

[@emmanuelakioyamen5700]

The Funkees Harry Mosco Chyke Madu Sonny Akpabio Jake N. Sollo Danny Heibs Tony Mallett Mohammed Ahidjo Roli Paterson

[@wotizit2937]

I know Jake Sollo joined Osibisa along with Mike Odumosu and died sometime after he left the band in a road accident in Nigeria. What happened to the rest of the Funkees?

[@agwukaluagwu2457]

I am almost 70, a grand Pa this music was classical in the 70s immediately after the Nigerian / Biafra civil war when I was in the elementry school. What a classic evergreen memories .❤ I would like to know if the funkies are still alive .

[@miadrummergirl1]

❤❤❤❤

[@thaigboprincess7723]

OMGGGGG I have been looking for this after watching the Nollywood Documentary!

[@yfoog]

That bass

[@vickjr98]

Insane

[@chukwumanwokoro8781]

Good music back in the days that's real music rite there remembering my school days in DMGS

[@djpete2009]

Absolute gold, man!! 🤩🤩🤩

[@herbalt]

I musta been a junkie in my past life

[@runningrasta]

just heard this for the first time...

[@user-ce5iw9ep5d]

Good music that invokes good and bad memories

[@-wendy-4595]

IGBO GANG 💛

[@Elfo_Scuro]

AMAZING track!!!!!!!!!...Voglio roba cosi in giro!!

[@BjornYggdrasyl]

magari fosse in giro

[@10InchSnow]

action bronson sampled this so beautifully in 'let it rain'

[@janossandor6517]

4:36 - Too true funky feel to be true.

[@stanleyshombe6924]

Yeahhhhhh big business

[@akintundedamilola3494]

2021 Owu Onye Ara

[@celebrityworldtv92]

It's quite amazing, am 19 years old stumbled on this on a radio station It's a shame I can't download My grandma use to tell me I'm the reincarnate of her Brother who died during the Civil War

[@charlesafolabi7237]

Wow...

[@dhaighy]

VIBEEE

[@virgiliomartini9051]

Radio Moka!!!

[@mattwagenknecht6646]

i finally found you

[@ashfaqarian4374]

Sent here by Dr. Keller in CHEM 222 at UChicago

[@vickjr98]

He's a good man then

[@chimeeadioha]

❤❤❤

[@MoroSdz]

great

[@fredericvalade5797]

AKUNAMATATA

[@PPlex66]

Supernice and perfect timing that very special song! Love it too much from 1st listening :-) Thank you so much :-)

[@stanleyshombe6924]

Big business in Africa

[@osmith9212]

Nollywood Babylon

[@ancaparvu3195]

LOVELY

[@kennethbartholow2732]

OWU

[@aleemafreeman9059]

lol love this song XD

[@b1slee267]

💚

[@duffal0]

I must’ve been a junkie in my past life

[@ivanfmf]

amazing, from Nigeria?

[@babyzi3166]

Yes

[@moankhi]

delicious :)

[@thething6936]

kaytra would murder this

[@FREE_FOOT]

Аххахахаха😂😂😂😂😂

[@volodymyrye.2202]

Монатік - відстій російськомовний