Chief Dr Sikuru Ayinde Barrister - New Fuji Garbage (1988) [Reissue 2008]

A Fuji first! 2 mighty slabs of Yoruba percussion'n'praise; the Doctor wails and cures all.

Barrister -or to give him his full title Chief Dr.Sikuru Ayinde Barrister and Africa's International Music Ambassadors - is Nigeria's foremost exponent of Fuji music, a form he created in the late 60s. With a line up that consists of 11 percussionists, a kit drummer, 3 backing vocalists and somewhat incongruously a Hawaiian guitar, the sound of Barrister is to say the least, explosive. Live, a single piece can last for 4 or 5 hours, with Barrister singing, almost continuously, the praises of various members of the audience, who reward him handsomely by showering him with large amounts of cash, usually dollars. For this GlobeStyle recording, cut in London last year, the material has been condensed to two 30 minute pieces, with the first piece continuing the theme of 'Fuji Garbage' that he has explored on his last few Lagos releases-.-this time it is 'Refined Fuji Garbage'. As the Chief Dr. himself says "Ladies & Gentlemen, rise up and dance to my new Fuji Garbage"- and when you hear the sound of this massive percussion ensemble it is impossible to resist -dance music extraordinaire.