POPULAR ARTISTS, RECORDS AND SESSIONS MUSICIANS OF 1980s IN NIGERIA

1. Evi-Edna Ogholi ‎– My Kind Of Music

EVI-EDNA OGHOLI

Label: Polydor ‎– POLP 157

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album

Country: Nigeria

Released: 1987

Genre: Reggae, Folk, World, & Country

Style: Reggae, African

Session Musicians:

Arranged and Produced – Emma Ogosi

Lead Vocals – Evi-Edna Ogholi

Backing Vocals – Ama Benson, Cicely Omonhinmin and Mike Okri

Bass Guitar – Majek Fashek

Drums – Mambo

Rhythm and Tenor Guitar – Amos McRoy Jegg

Keyboards – George Orwell's

Percussion and Sync-drum – Laolu Akins

Synthesizer – Lemmy Jackson

Tambourine – Leo Adjebro

Engineer [Recording] – Johnson, Ola and Lak Ade

Engineer [Mixing] – Goddy Ukonu, Ola and Lak Ade

2. Majek Fashek – Prisoner of Conscience

 

MAJEK FASHEK

Label: Tabansi ‎– TTL 367

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album

Country: Nigeria

Released: 1987

Genre: Reggae

Style: Reggae, Reggae-Pop

Session Musicians:

Producer, Drum Programming – Lemmy Jackson

Co-producer – Majek Fashek and Nkono Teles

Composed and Arranged – Majek Fashek

Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar and Rhythm Guitar – Majek Fashek 

Backing Vocals – Jolas Mercy and Miss Faith

Bass Guitar – Amos McRoy Jegg and Majek Fashek    

Drums – Black Rice

Keyboards [Fender Rhodes] – George Orwells

Percussion – Chris Mba and Ortis Wiliki

Rhythm Guitar [Percussive] – Efik Duke

Engineer [Laydown] – Emma Kalu

Engineer [Mixing] – Mark Fire

3. Amos McRoy Jegg – Cool & Deadly

 

AMOS MCROY JEGG

Label: Tabansi ‎– TTL 585

Format: Vinyl, LP

Country: Nigeria

Released: 1990

Genre: Reggae

Style: Reggae

Session Musicians:

Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals – Amos McRoy Jegg

Backing Vocals – Emma Ogosi, Ify Atuegbu Ofili and Jolass Ehi

Drum Programming – Lemmy Jackson

Electric Piano – Charles Dickson

Flute – Mike Appoh

Percussion – Chiko Oyemade and Ortis Wiliki

Rhythm Guitar – Majek Fashek

Synth – Leslie Brunner and Nkono B. Teles

Synthesizer – George Orwells

Talking Drum – Osy Denobis

Vocals – Ras Kimono

4. Onyeka Onwenu - Dancing In The Sun

 

ONYEKA ONWENU

Label: Ayollo Records ‎– AYO 04

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album

Country: Nigeria

Released: 1988

Genre: Funk / Soul

Style: Gospel, Rhythm & Blues

Session Musicians:

Producer – Lemmy Jackson

Lead Vocals and Backing Vocals – Onyeka Onwenu

Backing Vocals – Cicely Omohinmin and Mike Okri

Drums, Keyboards, Synthesizer [Synth Programming] – Bayo Adepetun

Guitar – Ade Onayiga

Drums, Synthesizer [Synth Programming] – Diran Olajoyegbe

Keyboards, Saxophone, Bass, Guitar, Drums, Synthesizer [Synth Programming] – Lemmy Jackson  

Engineer – Diran Olajoyegbe

Engineer [Assistant] – John Bassey

5. Ras Kimono - Under Pressure

 

RAS KIMONO

Label: Polydor ‎– POLP 198

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album

Country: Nigeria

Released: 1988

Genre: Reggae

Style: Roots Reggae

Session Musicians

Producer and Keyboards – Lemmy Jackson

Composed and Arranged – Ras Kimono and Monyaka G. Enahoro

Lead Vocals – Ras Kimono   

Edited By – John U. Ndoh

Backing Vocals – Ebi Ghariokwu, Ed. Jatto and Jolass

Saxophone – Tino Batangisa

Trumpet – Mack Makengele

Engineer [Recording & Mix] – Ebenezer, Ola, Johnson, Lak Ade and Akin

6. Christy Essien Igbokwe - Taking My Time 

CHRISTY ESSIEN IGBOKWE

Label: Soul Train Records ‎– STR 001

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Yellow

Country: Nigeria

Released: 1986

Genre: Electronic, Reggae, Funk / Soul, Folk, World, & Country

Style: Reggae, Highlife, Soul, Funk, Synth-pop

Session Musicians:

Producer and Keyboards – Lemmy Jackson

Composed, Arranged and Song By – Christy Essien Igbokwe

Backing Vocals – Cicilia Engelhart, Jini Sir Renne, Lee Genesis

Acoustic Guitar and Lead Guitar – Kevin and Matt Noble

Bass Guitar – Willie Nfor and Matt Noble

Effects – Emma Ogosi

Percussion – Freddie Pozzo

Programmed, Arranged and Keyboards – Floyd

Engineer – Gody, Kevin and Matt Noble

7. The Mandators ‎– Crisis

THE MANDATORS

Label: Polydor ‎– POLP 158

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album

Country: Nigeria

Released: 1987

Genre: Reggae, Folk, World, & Country

Style: African, Reggae

Session Musicians:

Producer and Keyboards [DX9] – Lemmy Jackson

Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals and Percussion– Victor Essiet

Written and Arranged By – Victor Essiet

Backing Vocals – Peggy Curtis Imanah, Chucks Eddy and Lucy Ebere

Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar – Majek Fashek   

Bass – Amos McRoy Jegg

Drum Programming – Osy Denobis and Johnny (OK Boy) Bassey  

Percussion – Johnny Bassey and Ortis Wiliki  

Electric Piano [Rhodes], Keyboards [DX9] – George Orwell

Engineer & Percussion Overdubs / Final Mix] – Martin Ikebuaku

Engineer [Overdubs] – Bayo Aro

Engineer [Recording] – I-G (New Yorker)  

8. Orits Williki – Tribulation

ORITS WILLIKI

Label: Polydor ‎– POLP 203

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album

Country: Nigeria

Released: 1989

Genre: Reggae, Folk, World, & Country

Style: Reggae

Session Musicians:

Producer and Keyboards – Lemmy Jackson

Composed, Written and Arranged By – Orits Williki

Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals and Percussion – Orits Williki

Backing Vocals – Alex O and Edward Jatto

Electronic Drums [Linn Drum], Drum Programming [DD5 Korg Ital] – Austin Onwura and Orits Wiliki

Engineer [Mixing] – J. Olahan

Engineer [Recording] – Johnny Malife, Lak Ade, Martin Ikebaku, Sunny Uka and Tony Nze

Guitar [Tenor] – Fortune Otega

Horns – Mike and Teno

9. Sir Shina Peters – Ace

SIR SHINA PETERS

Label: CBS ‎– CBS-N-1002

Series: Afro-Juju Series – 1

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album

Country: Nigeria

Released: 1989

Genre: Folk, World, & Country

Style: African

Session Musicians:

Directed and Produced by – Laolu Akins

Written, Arranged and Co-produced by – Sir Shina Peters

Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar, Synthesizer [DX7 & Roland D50] – Sir Shina Peters

Agogô – Taiwo Oyeleke

Bass Guitar – Jelili Lawal

Congas – Saubana Adekunle

Drums – Alibaba Ahmed

Engineer [Recording & Mixing] – LAK Adeniran and Laolu Akins

Engineer [Recording Assistant] – J.A. Olahan and S.A. Oligbinde

Guitar – Biodun Olasunoye, Joseph Miller and Dapo Amuyin

Keyboards – Afolabi Fadare

Liner Notes – Olutade Makinde

Maracas – Ojo Olatidebe

Pedal Steel Guitar – Gbenga Okunusi

Percussion – Kayode Aransiola, and Lateef Adepoju

Percussion [Omele] – Sule Alayande

Talking Drum – Ashimiyu Ayantola and Femi Ayantunde

Talking Drum [Lead] – Ramoni Ayandare

Vocals – Adewunmi Ogunsanmi, Babatunde Afolabi, Emmanuel Akpan and Gbenga Peters

10. Tera Kota - Lamentation For Sodom

TERA KOTA

Label: Twilight (8) ‎– TRL 0001
Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: Nigeria
Released: 1984
Genre: Reggae, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Roots Reggae, Dub, African
Session Musicians:
Produced and Arranged By – Lemmy Jackson
Lead Vocals, Composed and Arranged By – Gboyega Femi (Tera Kota)
Backing Vocals – Al-Jackson, Shola Damole and Willy Roy
Bass Guitar – Seuol B.   
Drums – Vincent K.
Guitar – John Kpiaye
Keyboards – Frankiie F.
Percussion – Friday Pozzo and Jeffrey Scantlebury
Keyboards, Organ, Piano – Paget King
Saxophone – Ken Eley
Trombone – Rick Taylor
Trumpet – David Sefries
Engineer [Dubbing] – Bob Broglia
Engineer [Recording & Mixing] – Tok's Shotade
Executive-Producer – Tessy Sal-Allan
Management – Dele Obi-Okolie

11. Felix Lebarty – Lover Boy 

FELIX LEBARTY

Label: Taretone ‎– TTL 182
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Nigeria
Released: 1983
Genre: Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: Boogie, Disco, Neo Soul
Session Musicians:
Arranged and Produced By – Jake Sollo
Lead Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Felix Lebarty
Backing Vocals – Pat Henry and Tracey King
Bass Guitar – Mark James
Strings, Synthesizer, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Jake Sollo  
Congas, Percussion – Mamadi Kamara
Drums – Ron Telemaque
Electric Guitar – Jake Sollo
Engineer [Recording & Mixing] – Alex Burak  
Piano – Noel Fisher
Tenor Saxophone – Geoff Driscoll
Trumpet – Steve Sidwell

12. Dizzy K. ‎– Be My Friend

DIZZY K. FALOLA

Label: His Master's Voice ‎– HMV (N) 012
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Nigeria
Released: 1983
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: Boogie, Funk, Soul
Session Musicians:
Producer and Engineer [Mixing] – Tony Okoroji
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals and Voice Effects – Dizzy K.
Backing Vocals – Felicia Ogie and Tony Okoroji  
Drums, Congas, Percussion – Ondigin Louis
Electric Guitar, Percussion [Hi-hats], Cymbal – Elimbi Oscar
Electric Piano and Synthesizers – Nkono Teles
Engineer [Recording & Mixing] – Bayo Aro and M. Oki  

13. Oby Onyioha ‎– I Want To Feel Your Love

OBY ONYIOHA

Label: Time (10) ‎– TLP 1002
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Nigeria
Released: 1981
Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Soul, Funk, Disco, Boogie
Session Musicians:
Arranged and Produced By – Lemmy Jackson
Lead Vocals – Oby Onyioha
Acoustic Guitar – Bunny Mack  
Horns & Trumpet – Luke Tunney
Backing Vocals – Dan I., Jane James, Keni St. George, Lemmy Jackson, Ray Shell and Simeon Catlyn
Guitars – Morris Michael, Eugene Ndema and George Achini  
Bass Guitar – Soul and Basil Barap
Drums – Laolu Akins and Paul Sokeng
Keyboards and Percussion – Lemmy Jackson
Engineers – Goddy Nkonu, Kayode Salami, Ben J. Bonnaud, Peter Schwrier and Kervin Metcaf  
Executive-Producer and Percussion – Dean Disi
Percussion – Francis Igboke, Igwe Ede and Keni St. George  
Saxophone – Gary Barnacle
Strings – The Locrian String Ensemble
Trombone – Annie Whitehead

14. Stella Monye ‎– Mr. Right

STELLA MONYE

Label: EMI ‎– HMV (N) 019
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Nigeria
Released: 1983
Genre: Reggae, Funk / Soul
Style: Boogie, Funk, Neo Soul, Reggae-Pop
Session Musicians:
Arranged and Produced By – Odion Iruoje
Lead Vocals, Composed and Written By – Stella Monye
Harmony Vocals – Funmi Adams
Bass Guitar – Basil Barap
Drums – Alli
Guitar – Chucks
Keyboards – Nkono Teles
Percussion – Chico 
Talking Drum – Saliu Alabi
Engineer – Bayo Aro and Monday Oki
Engineer [Assistant] – Bashiru Raifu, Edward Jatto, Sonny Ukah and Ugochukwu Ibeneme

15. Harry Mosco ‎– Sugar Cane Baby

HARRY MOSCO

Label: Samba ‎– SAM 004
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Nigeria
Released: 1982
Genre: Funk / Soul, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Boogie, Calypso, Disco, Funk
Session Musicians:
Arranged, Produced and Sung By – Harry Mosco
Engineer – Marcus Frank
Remix – Benny King

16. Bright Chimezie ‎– Life Of Yesterday

BRIGHT CHIMEZIE

Label: RAS (2) ‎– RASLPS 074
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Nigeria
Released: 1985
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: African, Highlife
Session Musicians:
Vocals Composed By, – Bright Chimezie
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Nico Ossomba
Bass Guitar – Bartho Mindjo "Iron Fingers"
Claves [Clips] – Jacob Nguni
Drums – George Atomba
Horns – Ali
Keyboards, Electronic Drums [Linn Drum Clapp] – Jake Sollo
Lead Guitar – Jacob Nguni
Lead Guitar, Guitar [Tenor], Rhythm Guitar – Elimby N. Oscar
Maracas – Eric N. Moore
Percussion – Chico
Trumpet – Sharp Mick
Engineer [Recording & Mixing] – John Malife, Remmy Njoku
Engineer [Recording & Mixing Assistant] – E. Nnaka and Tony Nzekwe
Executive-Producer – Chief R. E. Okonkwo