CHIEF UDOH ESSIET believes in rhythm. He serves it Hot-and-Spicy on this album, from the depths of his soul to the beat that emanates from his hand-made antelope-skin congas and talking drums.
AFROBEAT HIGHLIFE CROSSING effortlessly blends the essence of Afrobeat and Highlife grooves, resulting in a sound that’s purely original.
The percussion is out of this world, the bass is melodic, the horn arrangements are next level, the BVs are perfect and the ‘Pidgin’ language Chief Udoh sings tops it off with some Nigerian seasoning, like a dash of Hot Pepper on Stew!
SIDE A
Big Mistake...................5:15
Mma Akadia Ata...........3:47
Mo Feran Re.................3:58
Make You No Quench...3:51
SIDE B
What Eye Dey See........6:55
Wa Le Mi.......................3:54
Help Me Now................4:18
Uwem Iduhe.................3:38
Includes unlimited streaming of Afrobeat Highlife Crossing
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Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Pidgin or “broken” English. What we see happening today is just too much. Why is mankind challenging nature? Why do we pretend to care about justice? Why is there conflict between Christians and Muslims in my country? Speak up and speak out!
(français)
Pidgin ou « broken English ». La vie d’aujourd’hui – c’est trop. Pourquoi sommes-nous en train de détruire la nature ? Pourquoi fait-on semblant de vouloir la justice ? Pourquoi les chrétiens et les musulmans se battent-ils dans mon pays ? On ne peut plus rester muet.
lyrics
WHAT EYE DEY SEE
What eye dey see, my mouth no fit talk am (2x)
Your mouth no fit talk am, my mouth no fit talk am
My mouth no fit talk am (2x)
Because too much for mouth to talk
Life of today – Look am de way e be (2x)
Everything is artificial – Look am de way e be (2x)
Before, before, our people been believe in nature
I say, before, our people been believe in nature
Now dem want to challenge nature – I say
Now dem want to challenge nature
How can you challenge nature?
Tell me, how can you challenge nature?
Life of today – Look am de way e be (2x)
I dey hear about justice every day
But I dey see people are suffering everywhere
I say, I dey hear about Justice, but I dey see people are suffering
Through no fault of their own
(français)
TOUT CE QUE JE VOIS (What Eye Dey See)
Tout ce que je vois, ma bouche ne peut pas dire
Tout ce que je vois, ma bouche ne peut pas dire
Ta bouche ne peut pas dire, ma bouche ne peut pas dire
Ma bouche ne peut pas dire, ma bouche ne peut pas dire
Parce que c’est trop pour le décrire
La vie d’aujourd’hui – regarde comment elle est (2x)
Tout est artificiel -– regarde comment elle est (2x)
Avant, notre peuple respectait la nature
Je dis, dans le passé, notre peuple respectait la nature
Maintenant ils provoquent la nature – Je le dis
Maintenant ils provoquent la nature
Comment pouvez-vous vous en prendre à la nature ?
Dis-moi, comment pouvez-vous vous en prendre à la nature ?
La vie d’aujourd’hui – regarde comment elle est (2x)
J’entends parler de la justice chaque jour
Mais je vois partout des gens qui souffrent
Je dis, j’entends parler de la justice chaque jour
Mais je vois partout des gens qui souffrent
Ils ne sont pas responsables pour leur misère
Lead vocals, Drums, and Percussion: Chief Udoh Essiet
Backing Vocals, Piano: Sherry Margolin
Backing Vocals: Uwem Essiet
Bass: Mawena Luc Montenary
Tenor Guitar: Oghene Kologbo
Rhythm Guitar: Julien Raulet
Trumpet: Bruno Gautheron
Alto Sax: Sébastien Buchholz
Tenor Sax: Roger Kom
Trombone: Patrice Caussidery
Baritone Sax: Benjamin "Lonitompic" Kurpisz
Mixed at Uwem Music Studios by Sherry Margolin & Chief Udoh Essiet with invaluable mentorship from Mixer Mark Williams
Mastered at Studio B Mastering in Charlotte NC by Dave Harris
Nigerian born, Paris-based musician Chief Udoh Essiet is known for his exuberant music blending his cultural heritage and
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