William Onyeabor: Who Is William Onyeabor? Vinyl 3LP

First time properly reissued material from African Synth Funk pioneer William Onyeabor. Quite the man of mystery, Onyeabor's music has been heard throughout the years and dug up by some of the diggers elite, but no one until now has been able to legitimately reissue his work. David Byrne's Luaka Bop label has uncovered some of the world's finest music from Brazil to Cuba to France. Their 3rd volume in the "World Psychedelic Classics" series was a major hit with music critics and was just an introduction of what was to come. Who Is William Onyeabor takes us on a walk through what one could only imagine an African Discoteque could sound like, and it takes a lot of imagination to dream up this stuff. Yes the inherent polyrhythms are present, but the outer world synth workouts and straight up Disco tinged bangers are spread throughout. Over the years getting attention from the likes of Caribou and Four Tet, this is music that was made 30 + years ago but sounds like it was made for 10 years from now. Who is William Onyeabor? A genius that is finally getting his time. Recommended.

• black triple vinyl pressing
• (15) tracks including hits "Atmoic Bomb," "Fantastic Man," and "Body And Soul"
• part of Luaka Bop's World Psychedelic Classics series
• housed in gatefold jacket w/ printed inner sleeves
• music label: Luaka Bop 2013

reviewed by Taco Vato 01/2014