The Search For Ozo & The Rest.

I had called Mike Egi, compiler of Flashback 1 & 2 a couple of days ago to see if he made it back from his trip to Naija on an expedition to dig out master tapes of 70s local ensembles that kept body and soul one. Mike had told me his journey was very "disappointing" and somehow was not worth the trip.

He trooped to Pound Road, Aba, and according to him the road was so bad it took more than two hours to drive through a couple of miles. He had gone there to look for original albums of the Wings, The Apostles, Action and many other old-school jams of the day. We talked for nearly two hours on the phone and it was quite engaging. I had written a piece in the past about these old school jams and that's how we hooked up. Mike lives in St. Paul.

For a while now, I have been searching for some of these rare LPs. I have digged every archive but could only be that lucky. Some are there, some not. Mike also noted how bad in shape these 70s musicians were when he ran into them. Drummer Ben Alaka was so bad in shape and could not remember the songs he made in his heydays playing gigs at Lido, in Warri.

I had asked Mike if he was able to find the group Ozo whose 70s "Listen to the Buddha" album was a smash hit. "No where to be found," according to him. Ozo was a group founded by Igbo born Keni Saint George who later went solo and produced Asaba. Just browsing, I stumbled into this rare track here, and in shock I clicked on the album version of the track "Anambra" which echoed taking me aback to the groovy days all compositions and arrangements were original. Not even the all-flavor vintage Paris DJs founded by Djouls and Grant Phabao has it in stock. I give it to them, though. Those kids are doing a hell of a job remixing and digitally waxing all African vintage songs they can lay their hands on.

The album "Listen to the Budhha" was produced by Keni St. George and Vernon Cummings and recorded at DJM Records in 1976. Tracklisting: 1) Listen to the Budhha, 2)You Better Run, 3) Kites, 4) Anambra, 5) Love Me Tomorrow, 6) Who Shot Him Down, 7) Times-A-Changing, 8) Love is Gone, 9) Realms.

Mike's Flashback 3 will be out soon and I hope this time around, the track "Anambra" and "Listen to the Budha" will be included. Listen to the music. There's a message in it.

Hey, Mike, don't forget the liner notes and biographical info.

Comments

CooperTrooper said…
Hi,
I to have been searching for the album Listen to the Buddha...you wouldn't be interested in sharing it would you?
John
Anonymous said…
This album I am told featured Mick Wayne of Junior's Eyes/ Early Bowie/ Early Pink Fairies/ and other general 60s Ladbroke Grove goings on etc. Sometimes it pops up for sale on www.musicstack.com
I hope this helps, best wishes, Fleas
Unknown said…
I think I must have stumbled upon this rare album somewhere recently. I will check again. I know if I run through my tapes I am likely to find it, not in pristine condition but at least listenable too. I loved the track "Who Shot him down?" BTW, another rare album is the one and only by a group called 90 Degrees Inclusive, one of the creations of Eddy Grant (as with the Equals). I have the album, but the amount of akara it fries is frightening.
Anonymous said…
Robert, Thanks and if you do locate the Ozo tape, I would like a copy. I only have one track ("Revolution") on 90 Degrees Inclusive made in compilation of various artists.
Anonymous said…
Ambrose,

Please do you mind sharing revolution by 90 degrees inclusive.
I love that track.
Ambrose said…
Anonym,

Yes o... if you forward to me your information.
Anonymous said…
I was in Ozo in the early 1980's. We recorded many of the tracks at Utopia Studios in Belsize Park and Rak studios in Charlbert Street with Ray Shell (later of Starlight Express fame) and John Mizzarolli

I probably still have many of the albums and 12" records plus a lot of rough takes on cassette.
Ambrose Ehirim said…
Anonym,

Very, very interesting to know what you are revealing. Can please shed more light because Ozo was one of my favorite groups back in the day. What happened to St. George? Let's hook up as it appears something interesting is about to pop up, and the tapes, I don't mind.
Anonymous said…
I haven't seen Keni in over 25 years. I did some session work for Ozo and a couple of other of Keni's bands. We even made a video for two tracks 'Anambra River' and another track called 'Skintight'. I still have the VHS tape - not much to look at these days. I was really shocked to learn that JJ Belle had passed away in 2004 - he was such a fine guitarist.
Ambrose Ehirim said…
I do not know of anyone that knows the whereabout of Keni. How was playing together with Keni ina jam session like back in the day. I think "Anambra River" was my favorite track althoug when we were growing up, "Listen to the Budha" was the jam in college dorms and social gatherings.

Thought Keni went solo and released "Asaba" in the 80s. I remember JJ Belle but never heard of his death. Thanks for all these important information that will eventually go into the archives when I'm done with my research. And thanks for the email and the website on your new project. I will be writing you in detail soon.
CooperTrooper said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
CooperTrooper said…
Found some posts of interest....
http://www.nowimyourblog.com/2009/04/ozo-anambra-12-version.html
http://funkclassicmaster.blogspot.com/2009/03/ozo-dreaming-1984.html
http://hittheudio.blogspot.com/2009/03/ozo.html
Ambrose Ehirim said…
Cooper Trooper,

Thanks for all the links. Great resource and always keep me posted when you find more links of interest that would help me in my research projects.
Unknown said…
great tune! by the way, there is no much info about this band. I have been searching all over the internet and yet i havent found the lyrics for this song!
Unknown said…
I too have been looking for Keni St George, as I would like to license an Ozo song for a compilation I'm producing. If anyone could put me in touch please let me know.

Thanks!

Mike Davis @ Academy Lps, NYC
Anonymous said…
Hi guys,

Keni St George is my father, im his daughter Hannah. My family havent seen Keni for around 14 years now but we have lots of his records including Listen to the Buddha. If you leave me your email details I will see what I can do in terms of getting copies. I'll check this site soon for any replies.

Take care
Hannah
Ambrose Ehirim said…
Hannah,

Thank you so much for this very important information. Your contact would be greatly appreciated.

aehirim@gmail.com
CooperTrooper said…
Hannah!

I would be most grateful if to could include me in obtaining a copy of Listen To The Buddah.

Happy New Year j931436@gmx.com
Anonymous said…
Anyone heard something about Ozo?
CooperTrooper said…
Located "Listen to the Buddha"
http://joeblowthesampleking.blogspot.com/2009/07/ozo-listen-to-buddha.html
CooperTrooper said…
YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihmB5uVAL4Q
Anonymous said…
I played with Keni. I came to Keni's band through his political connection with my father, the former Labor MP.
Anonymous said…
Hi Ambrose

Apologies for not replying sooner. I have read your post from time to time but find it quite painful to speak of my father since I have not seen or heard from him in so many years. Please google Keni St George and you'll find an article written 17 May of this year by a Nigerian newspaper ("I'm a spiritual dissident"). He goes by a new name mostly, Keni Abdullahi St George, hence why you may not have found him. You should be able to find out where he is through the reporter and make contact as to requesting music that way. Please don't sensationalise the man. Although I can see his music was loved, he left 4 children destitute being myself, Alexandra, Eliza and Zen. Conrary to the lies in the article, Keni vanished into thin air leaving his family and massive debts behind him. I thank God every day for my angel mother and everything she has done for us.
Ambrose Ehirim said…
Hannah,

Could you email me? I have been in touch with Vernon Cummings (Chubby) and he asked for you. Send me an email...