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Blo was a bit of a mythical band until the past decade. Not much was known about them other than the fact that they were a psychedelic/progressive band from Nigeria (!) that had recorded for EMI in the early 70s. Their albums sell for 4 figures when they turn up on the market. Now we have more information about the band and finally RPM has put together a legit compilation of the band's two albums from 1973 and 1975. The band was obviously influenced by Fela Kuta, Osibisa as well as British rock. The two albums are laced with wah wah guitar leads and mad percussion - one listen and there is no doubt where this band originated from. Killer stuff.
"Lagos-based trio BLO shook the Nigerian scene to its foundations with their their Afro-rooted rock music. Their live debut in December 1972 found 10,000 new converts chanting we want BLO over and over again. Their Afro-delia looked far afield for inspiration: drummer Laolu Akintobi said we were listening to Grand Funk Railroad and The Isley Brothers and thought we should be able to do this in an African way. A further inspiration wasGinger Baker for whom both Akintobi and BLO's Berkley Jones played and toured with in 1971.
BLO’s first two albums, 1973’s Chapter One and 1975’sPhase 2, are amazing fusions of traditional rhythms and American psychedelia that evoke a spacier Tago Mago -era Can. Original copies of each sell for £200 and up. Chapter One’s highlights include the psychedelic instrumental Miss Sagit with its snakey fuzz guitar. Equally far out is Chant To Mother Earth, where a hypnotic three-note bass line tops shuffling drums, choppy guitar and distant chanted vocals. Phase 2’s wah wah guitar and funk takes their Afro-delia onto the dance floor. Press reports of the time describe BLO as Africa’s first rock band. They had an electronic cosmic sound that deserves total world-wide attention."
- Style:Psychedelic Rock
- Record Label:RPM