Name: Give Me A Chance
Brand: Christy Essien

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

DWAPS2107

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "DWAPS2107"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2019-04-12

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Kudos

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

5055373546520

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "5055373546520"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

Total Cap

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

 Christy Essien

Genre GB

African

Label GB

Afrodisia

Afrodisia is an African record label that was founded in 1972 by Chief Moshood Abiola and band-leader-musician [Ebenezer Obey] in Nigeria. Originally known as Decca (WA) Ltd., the label underwent changes in ownership over the years. In 1979, Decca was taken over by PolyGram and sold its West African rights to Afrodisia. Then, in 1981, the [PolyGram] Group purchased the label.

Under Afrodisia, releases from this label carried the suffix "DWA," which stands for Decca West Africa. The Nigerian indigenization decrees of 1972 and 1977 played a significant role in the transition of ownership. As a result, beginning in 1976, the Decca label and WAPS series were gradually replaced by Afrodisia and DWAPS series respectively. This transformation marked a new era for the label.

By 1981, Afrodisia became fully Nigerian-owned and changed its name to Afrodisia Ltd. Vinyl albums continued to be released under this company until 1989 when they ceased production. Notably, in 1983, Ebenezer Obey secured the rights to all his past recordings and used both original Decca and Afrodisia catalogue numbers for re-releases on his new Eben-Ops Records label.

Christy Essien was one of the leading female recording artists of her time in Nigeria. She was born in Akwa Ibom State in 1960 and enjoyed an accomplished career as a musician and an actress. Having conquered the music and TV worlds Christy moved on to feature in some of the early Hollywood films such as "Flesh and Blood" and "Scars of Womanhood", both of which addressed issues of child abuse and female circumcision. With a desire to make life better for Nigerian artists. She is also credited as having initiated the first meeting that brought about the formation of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria in 1981.

Dubbed Nigeria's "First Lady Of Song", Christy produced a respectable 9 studio albums across a number of labels. Her fifth album "Give Me A Chance" was released in 1980 by Afrodisia, and is being officially reissued again by the prolific Nigerian label.

"Give Me A Chance" showcases an impressive move on from her last album with a nice amount of variety. Her classic funky disco sound is most evident in what is her most notable song on the album "Rumours". This much sought after disco number is joined by a couple more disco grooves such as "Nobody Can Stop You" and "Onwu". "Ife" meaning love inflicts a little bit of reggae into the mix while the remaining tracks ("Saboteurs", "Don't Let Me Down", "Ikan Idomo" and title track "Give Me A Chance") take more of a traditional afrobeat - meets ballad approach. 

Christy died after a brief illness in 2011. Close to the time of her death, she was involved in numerous successful businesses, organization and running the non-governmental organisation Essential Child Care Foundation involved in child welfare. Christy's achievements and awards are numerous. Too numerous to mention. Perhaps her greatest achievement however is her contribution to building a peaceful and tolerant Nigeria - which, alongside moral uprightness, remain constant themes of her songs.

Give Me A Chance

Music GB