News in from Wyldpytch : New release, HIGHLIFE KINGS VOL.1, introducing the first of four volumes including great music from the likes of Rex Lawson, Sir Victor Uwaifo, Dr Victor Olaiya, and many more. Jazzy horns and strong guitar strokes and bold native instrumentation. Read on for free download..

Artists Featured:
Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe (Osondi Owendu, Kwue Nkeyi)
Mike Ejeagha (Onye Uri Ubata)
Celestine Ukwu (Igede, Usondu)
Rex Lawson (Bere Bote, Anate)
Dr. Victor Olaiya (omo Pupa)
Sir Victor Uwaifo (Joromi)
Paulson Kalu (okuwudili, Ugwu Onyirika Watu)
Wura Fadaka (Sanmari Adugbo)

'Ekassa' is perhaps the best known dance of Benin. A royal dance performed during the coronation of a new king.Ekassa incorporates the beat of the tom-tom and agba drums, Western wind instruments, two guitars and songs performed in the Edo language.

one of the featured artists, Sir Victor Uwaifo, rode the style for four or five years, releasing four Ekassa albums between 1971 and 1975. As might be expected, Uwaifo's appropriation of ancient, and in some cases, sacred songs for the purposes of contemporary dancehall debauchery did not always go down well with the self-appointed guardians of the legacy of the great Benin Empire but, Uwaifo viewed his work as that of a high-tech curator.

In characteristic cocky form he once sais, "I am a rare species, and it’s very unlikely that anyone will ever succeed me. If that happens, then I do not rate a genius". Sir Victor Uwaifo’s 'Ekassa' is finally available digitally.

To celebrate you can download the famous track Joromi from the Wyldpytch website.

Buy the Ekassa album via i-tunes.