Record Store Day Exclusive. Comb & Razor Sound hooking up a crucial collection of rare Nigerian sounds for RSD BLK FRI 2016. The tracks here highlight the stars of the "Calabar" region - the south eastern land of the Efik and Ibibio ethnic groups in Cross River and Akwa Ibom State. Calabar-Itu Road focuses on the funky decade between 1972 and 1982 with smokin' tracks from Etubom Rex Williams, Cross River Nationale, Charles "Effi" Duke, The Doves and Mary Afi Usuah. From the label - "When most people think about Nigerian music, the first thing that comes to mind is Lagos—the country’s main commercial center, the glittering megacity that spawned Yoruba-speaking music luminaries such as Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Sir Shina Peters and Wizkid. But Nigeria is a country of rich diversity, especially in its music: From the Igbo highlife and rock bands of east-central region, to the deep Edo roots rhythms from the midwest, to the keening, ornamented Fulani melodies of the north. But one region whose music has remained largely underexplored is the south eastern land of the Efik and Ibibio ethnic groups in Cross River and Akwa Ibom State—the region colloquially referred to as “Calabar.” A cradle of culture, this region was one of the earliest outposts of Nigerian popular music. Its primordial rhythms traveled across the Atlantic during the slave trade to provide the part of the foundation for Afro-Cuban grooves that would go on to influence the development of jazz, rock & roll, R&B and funk. The Calabar-Itu Road is the major artery linking modern-day Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. And Calabar-Itu Road: Groovy Sounds from South Eastern Nigeria (1972-1982) will link the region’s music to the rest of the world!" Limited edition of 2000 with 44 page booklet loaded with liner notes + rare photos. Silk screen cover seals the deal.

• RSD Black Friday 2016 Exclusive
• limited edition of 2000
• 44 page magazine-style booklet w/ extensive liner notes + rare photographs
• silk screen jacket
• music label: Comb & Razor Sound 2016

reviewed by Aloo Pye 12/2016