solomon ilori & his afro-drum ensemble: african high life

Alternative Fox present a reissue of Solomon Ilori and His Afro-Drum Ensemble's African High Life, originally released in 1963. Pioneering percussionist Solomon Ilori was one of the first Nigerian artists to record with American jazz musicians, travelling to New York in 1958 to introduce African music to American audiences. After appearing on Art Blakey's 1962 LP The African Beat for Blue Note; he recorded African High Life with members of Blakey's ensemble, including guitarist Jay Berliner, bassist Ahmed Abdul Malik, Hosea Taylor on alto sax and flute, and percussionists Montego Joe Montego, Robert Crowder, and Garvin Masseaux. "Tolani Re O" is a love song, "Ise Oluw" a song of religious praise, "Yaba E" a farewell song that was issued as a single, and "Aiye Le" a warning of the dangers of this world.