Now I'm A Man

PMG present a reissue of The Funkees's Now I'm A Man, originally released in 1976. Has there ever been a band as aptly named as The Funkees? Formed after the Biafran War to raise spirits in the east, they quickly conquered the dance floors of Lagos and in 1973 headed to London, playing at Ronnie Scott's and tearing up the local scene. Now I'm A Man captures the band at the height of their London-era pomp. Africans were making soca, West Indians were playing Afro-funk and discolypso blasted from boom-boxes across West London. The Funkees soaked it all up and delivered it back - funkier, tighter and louder. Bookended by two Santana-esque jams, I'm A Man and 303, The Funkees second album delivers slow burning Afro-beat (Mimbo), urgent jungle bongo chants (Salam) and straight-ahead floor-fillers (Dance With Me). Little wonder that legendary BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel, recorded two sessions with them. The Funkees soon disbanded after this album; Jake Sollo joined Osibisa, Sonny Akpabio and Harry Mosco pursued successful solo careers. Now I'm A Man shows The Funkees as they burned brightly as Nigeria's most talented, inventive and funky band.