Waziri hails from a small part of Edo State in southern Nigeria called Afemailand, known for being a harmonious region where Muslims and Christians live—and dance—together. And there, as a devout Muslim and an exemplar of religious piety in his community, Waziri’s music fuses Etsako/Afemai folk styles with pan-Nigerian highlife and pop to create a sublime vehicle for his Islamic philosophy that gets everyone—Muslims, Christians, whoever—on the dancefloor.
Waziri made Vol. 4 the same year he traveled to Mecca and completed the hajj, and you can hear the impact of his journey in the music’s indescribably funky and spiritual potency. Every song here strikes his signature balance of traditional music, highlife, and funk, as he entreats you to stay on the straight and narrow, though there’s nothing straight about his beat.
For those of you who are interested in going deep on the wonderful Waziri, Vol. 4 is also now available alongside the other four volumes of the series, for the first time ever, as part of a complete set (in a box): Vol 1 - 5 (1978 - 1985), which you can find here.
Tracklist:
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A1. Iyere: Mecca London
A2. Chief Joe Omo Agba | Chief Mike Odidi
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B1. Imirunolu Agizoane
B2. Hungry Man Osamiogbewa
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