What it sounds like is a band that has found its groove and knows how to run with it in any direction it pleases. Ibibio Sound Machine is now in full control of its sound, and it’s that knowledge that allows the group to truly let loose.
Uyai builds on its predecessor's invigorating melange of highlife, disco, funk and electronica with even more assured musicality and social consciousness.
Their music, now as then, retains all the ebullient joy of their West African heritage and all the subversion of the London underground circles where their time is predominantly spent.
Eno Williams and crew up the ante on all fronts for Uyai; the percussion races forward while the arrangements are busier and more ambitious, each tune twisting and turning through rhythm changes and back-to-back riffs like a living thing.
Ibibio Sound Machine's Uyai is the grand and adventurous Afro-Funk album I wanted their self-titled debut to be.
Led by singer Eno Williams, Uyai becomes a wildly diverse mix of global sounds whose focus this time has turned to themes of liberation, power, and beauty—specifically that of women.
Uyai is a fine, boundary-pushing follow-up to an arresting debut.
Largely ‘Uyai’ stands as a genre meshing oddity which, thanks to its pure groove and spirituality, will appeal to those who haunt the dance floor as well as their own dimly lit bedrooms.
Back when Ibibio Sound Machine weren't as famous as today they were still making good projects!
Genre Quasi: episode seven: "That Time We Rocked the RV"
Mission Report: Well this is quite curious agent. The person we thought was Rita Miami, has turned out to be "Ebosi Sami," former advisor to current Nigerian diplomat "Onde Afunku." And get this, Onde has made a business trip to the Nigerian Embassy in Brasilia. Now why would Onde feel the need to take a trip to Brazil? And why does Ebosi have an apparently permeant office at Complex 808? And why was it ... read more
Bro I fucking love music it is just so awesome and it is my favorite. Also this album is for people who love music and you should try it if you consider yourself to be someone who in fact enjoys musics.
Black History Month 5:
This album suffers from the dance tracks being the best, but those cooldown periods being boring as shit. Very cut and dry in that sense. Great dance tracks, some funky ass beats on some of these cuts. But when this album tries to deviate from that, it doesn’t work.
While not all the risks they take pan out in my opinion, this still turns out as a really great album
1 | Give Me a Reason 4:17 | 93 |
2 | The Chant (Iquo Isang) 4:29 | 80 |
3 | One That Lights Up (Andi Domo Ikang Uwem Mi) 3:37 | 74 |
4 | The Pot Is On Fire 4:20 | 92 |
5 | Quiet 3:54 | 69 |
6 | Joy (Idaresit) 3:43 | 93 |
7 | Power Of 3 4:21 | 85 |
8 | Lullaby 4:05 | 81 |
9 | Guide You (Edu Kpeme) 3:13 | 82 |
10 | Sunray (Eyio) 4:27 | 85 |
11 | Cry (Eyed) 2:10 | 70 |
12 | Trance Dance 4:39 | 78 |
#29 | / | The Needle Drop |
#48 | / | PopMatters |
#98 | / | Bandcamp Daily |
#99 | / | Rough Trade |