Masisi Mass Funk
I Want You Girl
In mid-seventies, Nigerian bands came and went with alarming regularity, rising meteorically from the slums to stardom and falling back again just as quickly. Masisi Mass Funk from Anamara State was one such band. But during their brief moment in the stratosphere, they produced a funk gem in I Want You Girl. The band was championed by Ebere Ikoro from the Hygrades. He took them under his wing after an ill-advised collaboration with Soly Dibong. They were originators not imitators, he said. He produced I Want You Girl and played on it as well. Its easy to see what appealed to Ebere Ikoro. The title track has a Manfred Mann sixties vibe. Care To Love Me is a wonky, off-kilter reggae calypso number. And Ungrateful People bounces along with a Sly And The Family Stone chirpiness. However, its the gospel numbers that really stand out. Heavenly Father rocks out with strident keyboards and plaintive vocals. And the relentless He Is To Be Praised is an afro-funk-rock-gospel monster, guaranteed to raise your eyes to heaven while keeping your feet firmly planted on the dance floor. Sadly, Masisi Mass Funk only released one album, their star burning as quickly as it did brightly. They went on to form First Planet, an Afro Boogie band that tore up Lagos dancefloors in the 80s. But thats another story for another day. - Peter Moore