ARTIST: BLO 

TITLE:’CHAPTER ONE’ 

LABEL: MR BONGO 

FORMAT: CD/DIGITAL/VINYL 

CAT: MRBCD106 / MRBLP106 

Mr Bongo is proud to announce the re-issue of African rock pioneer, Blo’s debut album, ‘Chapter One,’ which was originally released by EMI in 1973. 

Blo is most known for being the first rock band to emerge from Africa. This trio includes Berkely ‘Ike’ Jones on guitar, Laolu ‘Akins’ Akintobi on drums and Mike ‘Gbenga’ Odumosu on bass. Each member has also worked in Ginger Baker’s band, Salt prior to their formation in 1972. 

The band’s retro, afro-rock sound foundation of the late 60’s makes this one of the finest African fusion albums. ‘Chapter One’ features raw and outstanding guitar work from Jones, accompanied by the groovy collaboration of Akintobi’s drums and Odumosu’s bass, creating an out of this world, psychedelic vibe. Vocals are the least prominent feature of this brilliant album, functioning more like an additional soulful element rather than a key attribute to justify the 60’s style rock. This is demonstrated in the album’s only instrumental track, the Arabic-tinged ‘Miss Sagitt.’ 

‘Chapter One’ is one of the most sought after African albums, despite the fact that it performed poorly upon release, which lead to the band switching labels to focus on a funkier sound. However, this album remains to be a rare piece of African psychedelic funk, which can reach up to $4000 for an original copy. Blo’s ‘Time To Face The Sun’ returned to the limelight when it was sampled by legendary LA based hip hop producer Madlib on his hit 'Face The Sun'. 

In partnership with the original African label owners, Mr Bongo is embarking on a major re-issue and restoration project, of which Blo has been specially chosen. With re-mastered audio and vinyl pressings with improved quality, the album will be available for release mid September on CD format, as well as gatefold vinyl, including fully reproduced original artwork. 

‘Chapter One’ is an exceptional, timeless album making a strong comeback with a mix of mind-expanding psychedelia and funk of late 60's rock from the Western world. With the re-mastered audio and improved quality of listening, ‘Chapter One’ proves not only to have a one of a kind sound, but with a re-issue of this amazing album, a demand for it.

 TRACKLIST 

1. PREACHERMAN 

2. TIME TO FACE THE SUN 

3. BEWARE 

4. WE GONNA HAVE A PARTY 

5. DONT 

6. CHANT TO MOTHER EARTH 

7. WE ARE OUT TOGETHER 

8. MISS ‘SAGITT’ (INSTRUMENTAL)

 

www.mrbongo.com

www.soundcloud.com/mrbongo/sets/blo-chapter-one