Victor Olaiya’s All stars Soul International (Vampisoul VAMP107)
Victor Olaiya’s All stars Soul International
(Vampisoul VAMP107)
From Aural Innovations October 2009 update
Dr. Victor Olaiya is now 77 years old and has been performing for nearly 60 years. This record was originally released in 1970 and is very James Brown inspired and even includes two JB covers (Cold Sweat and Mother Popcorn) performed with a highlife inspiration. The booklet is amazing and tells a fascinating story. Seems little is actually known about who played on this record but a track by track description is also included. Victor really tires to imitate James Brown’s singing style on the funk tracks and then sound totally different on the more normal “highlife” tracks like Okere Gwonko, Soro jeje fum Arogbo. The way they play the JB songs is interesting as the music is more laid back yet he tries to give the same intensity of JB’s vocal attack. Cool release and good sound.
Check out the Vampi Soul site at: http://www.vampisoul.com
Reviewed by Scott Heller