This was the opening track on their 1975 album "Welcome Home", and got to No. 15 in the UK, even creeping close to the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA (No. 108). Peter from "Vintagerock's Weblog" (http://vintagerock.wordpress.com/) reminisces about Osibisa: "Osibisa is Ghanian for…'criss-cross rhythms that explode with happiness' ..... Osibisa are one of those bands that I saw several times, but can’t recall exactly where or when.
"It was in the early to mid 70s, and probably at Sunderland Locarno or Newcastle Mayfair. I definitely remember seeing them at Newcastle Poly Students Union one night. Marie and I were in the habit of going along to the Poly dances on Friday nights in the mid 70s. Most of the time we didn’t know who was performing until we arrived, which had to be before 10.30pm (no entry after that point, to dissuade the locals turning up when the pubs closed).
"Once or twice we got there to find Osibisa playing, which was a great surprise. In his memoirs, 'Broken Music', Sting refers to his band 'Last Exit' supporting Osibisa at a Poly gig in the mid 70s. Well, I don’t recall seeing 'Last Exit' that night (they had probably finished their set by the time we arrived) but I do recall Osibisa going down a storm.
"Crazy beats, happy vibes, wonderful Roger Dean graphics on their album covers and the late great founder member Sparticus R (actually he left in the early days of the band). They would explode into the hall; pounding congas, driving bass, chants; the crowd were up and with them from the start, dancing along with the African highlife rhythms. 'Sunshine Day' was out at the time, which must place it around 1975." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osibisa
I've jammed this too!. It was one of those albums in my big brothers collection that made me sit up and pay attention to music whether it was the rhythm soaked tunes or the Roger Dean Flying elephants! Brilliant,brilliant!!
22 Comments (since 26 Mar 2014)
leejohnson
This was the opening track on their 1975 album "Welcome Home", and got to No. 15 in the UK, even creeping close to the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA (No. 108). Peter from "Vintagerock's Weblog" (http://vintagerock.wordpress.com/) reminisces about Osibisa: "Osibisa is Ghanian for…'criss-cross rhythms that explode with happiness' ..... Osibisa are one of those bands that I saw several times, but can’t recall exactly where or when.
leejohnson
"It was in the early to mid 70s, and probably at Sunderland Locarno or Newcastle Mayfair. I definitely remember seeing them at Newcastle Poly Students Union one night. Marie and I were in the habit of going along to the Poly dances on Friday nights in the mid 70s. Most of the time we didn’t know who was performing until we arrived, which had to be before 10.30pm (no entry after that point, to dissuade the locals turning up when the pubs closed).
leejohnson
"Once or twice we got there to find Osibisa playing, which was a great surprise. In his memoirs, 'Broken Music', Sting refers to his band 'Last Exit' supporting Osibisa at a Poly gig in the mid 70s. Well, I don’t recall seeing 'Last Exit' that night (they had probably finished their set by the time we arrived) but I do recall Osibisa going down a storm.
leejohnson
"Crazy beats, happy vibes, wonderful Roger Dean graphics on their album covers and the late great founder member Sparticus R (actually he left in the early days of the band). They would explode into the hall; pounding congas, driving bass, chants; the crowd were up and with them from the start, dancing along with the African highlife rhythms. 'Sunshine Day' was out at the time, which must place it around 1975." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osibisa
21schizoid
Excellent, Lee. Always a big fave of mine.
natyblooming
I love this!!!!!!!!!!!!!
natyblooming
I see you @21schizoid :)
nangeanarendra
thanks for liking my jam
21schizoid
@natyblooming Dang! I was hiding behind Lee's pot plant...no, not THAT kind of pot... ;-)
leejohnson
@21schizoid Tried it TWICE behind some shops when I was 17. Got absolutely zero zing from it, haven't touched a leaf since. Not guilty! ;)
leejohnson
Anyone seen my tube of glue??? 8o
mikelowe
#SmileyJam :-)
21schizoid
@leejohnson *Police aware*... ;-)
leejohnson
@21schizoid *Police 42+ years too late.....* :D The glue is not to sniff! My crack pipe's broken!!!!! ;)
21schizoid
@leejohnson Haha. Why didn't you just say... ;-)
nangeanarendra
thanks for liking my jam
totty01843
cool banana
BeeBee
@Avante I'm here! And believe me the tail is wagging!
BeeBee
I've jammed this too!. It was one of those albums in my big brothers collection that made me sit up and pay attention to music whether it was the rhythm soaked tunes or the Roger Dean Flying elephants! Brilliant,brilliant!!
HaveACuppaTea
We're too miserable in the UK, that's why the weather is s**t.
nangeanarendra
thanks for liking my jam
whitewitch
There's a poem somewhere about a smile travelling all over the world in a day. Always loved the image!