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Album of the Day: Horizon Unlimited - Lijadu Sisters

Horizon Unlimited (1979) - The Lijadu Sisters

It's been overcast and rainy for days, and that forecast continues through the rest of the week. The moisture can settle into the bones and dampen every movement if you let it. Or you could kick the day off with the permanent blast of sunshine that is the Lijadu Sisters' final EP, recently re-released by Romero Group.

"Not Any Longer" is the perfect remedy for the moment. It kicks off with a talking drum (every track does), holds a funky guitar lick throughout, slaps down a bass line that demands attention, and includes a spaced out synthesizer bridge for good measure. It's a song you can sing along to on the first listen (lah-lah-lah-lah-lah-lah-lah-lah zoopy zoopy zey). The sisters demand you to push forward, to overcome.

Pushing forward is what this whole album is all about. As vibrant as each track is, the opening track ("Orere-Elejigbo") commences with some brief English lyrics: "Get out. Fight. Trouble in the streets." The song is distinctly serious in tone. I can't understand anything behind the opening line, but the entire affair makes you want to stand, fight, push forward, overcome.

The EP clocks in at 25 minutes, but the variety in the six tracks is astounding. Dance-able throughout. Chant-able at regular intervals. You could spend a day with these six tracks on repeat.

Numero plans to release each of their studio albums in physical format, and picking them up just to nab the Yoruba and English lyrics is well-worth the money. Hope to have one in the mail soon.

Despite not knowing Kehinde (rest in peace) and Taiwo's names before this week, I unknowingly watched them perform William Onyeabor's "Fantastic Man" with David Byrne years back. Now you can too.

Label: Afrodisia (Re-Released 2024 by Numero Group)

Track for monthly playlist: "Not Any Longer"

Listen/Purchase: https://thelijadusisters.bandcamp.com/album/horizon-unlimited
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