Name: Akalaka / The Power
Brand: Victor Chukwu / Uncle Victor Chuks and The Black Irokos

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

BBE508ACD

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "BBE508ACD"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

Colour

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

2020-11-06

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

The Orchard

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

0194491625542

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "0194491625542"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

BBE508ALP

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "BBE508ALP"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

Black

0193483365350

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "0193483365350"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

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

Artist

Victor Chukwu / Uncle Victor Chuks and The Black Irokos

Genre GB

African

Label GB

BBE is a UK based record label, short for Barely Breaking Even. Founded in 1996 by Peter Adarkwah and Ben Jolly, the label releases both original works and compilations. Known for their compilation series such as "The Beat Generation" and "Kings of...," BBE features a wide range of collections in genres like jazz, soul, hip-hop, r'n'b, house, drum'n'bass, and more. With a diverse roster of artists including *J Dilla*, *Pete Rock*, *Roy Ayers*, *Marley Marl*, and many others, BBE continues to be a prominent force in the music industry.
The label's association with German label G-Stone Recordings has further expanded its reach. Since its inception, BBE has released numerous acclaimed albums and compilations that have garnered critical acclaim and commercial success.
With an extensive catalog spanning over two decades, BBE remains dedicated to showcasing exceptional talent from various genres while consistently delivering high-quality music to its loyal fanbase worldwide.

BBE Music presents Akalaka and The Power, a double helping of old-school Igbo highlife from one of the genre’s acknowledged masters, Victor Chukwu. Highlife was the music that the Igbo people made their own after the horrors of the Biafran war; music that rebuilt a sense of pride, identity and dignity. Tabansi recording star ‘Uncle’ Victor Chukwu’s super-rare, almost un-Google-able albums Akalaka and The Power are now in your hands, issued back-to-back by BBE for the first time anywhere in four decades. These sets were probably recorded around 1977-79 at the Tabansi Studios in Onitsha, with Chief Tabansi also mixing and mastering: a 100% homegrown Tabansi product. Victor worked with a bassist, a drummer, and some brass- although he also doubled himself on tenor sax and arranged much of these glorious sessions. The songs have an inimitable feel-good quality: happy, dignified, proud, spiritual, everything except one composition in major key. Perhaps it’s no surprise that many 70s and 80s Igbo highlife group members are today gospel singers and musicians. Seven killer Igbo grooves combined in this first ever reissue of two impossible-to-find Tabansi LPs back to back, based around the traditional Ogene 6/8 bell ‘clave’ and brassheavy, spiritual highlife.

Akalaka / The Power

Music GB