Michael babatunde olatunji april 7, 1927 april 6, 2003 was a nigerian musician, social activist and educator, but best known as a drummer. Percussionist olatunji was championing african music long before anyone devised the worldbeat marketing strategy. Listen to your favorite songs from drums of passion by olatunji now. The album was a huge hit, remaining in print for decades and standing as one of the first examples of the american recordbuying. John coltrane claimed olatunji as an influence and provided. I was much more familiar with its africanamerican decendents. This introduced american audiences to the polyrhythms of his native nigeria. Find michael olatunji discography, albums and singles on allmusic. Find babatunde olatunji discography, albums and singles on allmusic allmusic. Drum freaks will love drums of passion and anyone at all serious about jazz, ethnic, or world music should grab a copy of this groundbreaking, important rerelease, because babatunde olatunji. Babatunde olatunji shango chant to the god of thunder. Both olatunji and his drums of passion were unknown to me when i discovered this cd. Babatunde olatunji drums of passion live 85 youtube. Jul 27, 2005 originally recorded in 1993, but never released until now two years after olatunji s death at age 76 after a battle with diabetes, circle of drums is a powerful reminder of the primal potency of.
Jingoloba drums of passion michael olatunji shazam. Babatunde olatunji rhythms of africadrums of passionzungo. Olatunji had a profound impact on everyone who knew him and everyone who had been touched by his love for the drum and the african culture that nurtured that love. Unquestionably, it was the first recording to popularize african.
Babatunde olatunji was born 1927 in the small village of ajido, nigeria, about forty miles from lagos, the capital of the country. The spiritual powers of the drum and drumming are the focus of this dvd. Provided to youtube by sony music entertainment jingoloba jingolowbah olatunji michael olatunji olatunji. Because the whole world revolves in rhythm, and rhythm is. In 1959, olatunji released his own album, drums of passion. The album is olatunjis tribute to the power of rhythm.
Olatunji more drums of passion 1966, vinyl discogs. And, in spite of it being viewed by some as a symbol of african chic, drums of passion is still a substantial record thanks to olatunji s complex and raw drumming. Olatunji s 1959 album, drums of passion, was the first album of african drumming recorded in stereo in an american studio, and it introduced a generation to the power and intricacy of. Drums of passion the invocation when i pulled this cd off the shelf, saw the cover art and read the title i thought, oh dearby the time this is done, will i be dancing around the room, scantily clad and covered with whatever war paint i can find in my makeup bag. Babatunde olatunji s record album drums of passion proclaimed that the time had come for america to recognize africas cultural contributions to the music world. Signed to columbia, olatunji released drums of passion in 1959.
In part because, if the prize for first world music record can be definitively awarded and it probably cannot a serious contender would be olatunji s drums of passion columbialegacy, 1959. Michael babatunde olatunji born april 7th 1927, ajido, lagos state, nigeria april 6, 2003, salinas, california, usa was a nigerian drummer, educator, social activist and recording artist. Unquestionably, it was the first recording to popularize african music in the west, becoming immensely successful and selling over five million copies. In 2004 the album was added to the national recording registry. Through his many albums and live performances, the nigerian drummer popularized west african traditional music and spread his message of racial harmony. When he first appeared on the scene in america, babatunde olatunji was acclaimed by. Listen to babatunde olatunji shango chant to the god of. He was one of the first artists in world music to become famous in the west. Originally released 1960 sony bmg music entertainment released on. Babatunde olatunji born april 7th 1927, ajido, lagos state, nigeria april 6, 2003, salinas, california, usa was a nigerian drummer, educator, social activist and recording artist. Michael babatunde olatunji born april 7, 1927 april 6, 2003 was a nigerian drummer.
The impact of the album, in atkinsons words, can hardly be overstated, yet much about it. Everything and every human action revolves in rhythm. Nigerian drummer enjoyed huge american success in the 50s with his seminal drums of passion. Drummer babatunde olatunji pioneer nigerian musician sfgate. African drums, an album by michael olatunji on spotify. Ethnic, afrobeat, world music babatunde olatunji healing. Babatunde olatunji drums of passion 1959 lyrics at the. Michael olatunji drums of passion when he first appeared on the scene in america, babatunde olatunji was acclaimed by artists such as john coltrane and dizzy gillespie.
Nov 07, 2017 babatunde olatunji live in concert at the starwood festival in 1997. Originally released 1960 sony bmg music entertainment. Drums of passion was the first album released by babatunde olatunji 19272003 in 1960. Prominently mentioned in those accounts was his 1960 debut album, drums. Apr 10, 2003 babatunde olatunji, the nigerian drummer, bandleader and world beat pioneer who first brought authentic african music to the united states with his 1959 album, drums of passion, died sunday from. The acknowledged master of african drumming presents essential techniques, rhythmic patterns, and concepts for drummers of all levels. By using our website and our services, you agree to our use of cookies as descri. Dec 16, 2017 robert millisleaf music, drunks, distant drums. Jin go lo ba the drums of passion by babatunde olatunji. Babatunde olatunji jingoloba drums of passion youtube. Drums of passion album lyrics by babatunde olatunji. Michael babatunde olatunji biography life, family, children. Michael olatunji gin go lo ba terre haute pressing.
Try disabling any ad blockers and refreshing this page. Along with a cadre of backup singers and two other percussionists, olatunji works through eight traditional drum and. Drums of passion by olatunji, released in 2003 on legacy recordings. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. Before his death in 2003, babatunde olatunji had spent his entire life bringing the rhythm of the drums to everyday people.
Drums of passion by olatunji on amazon music unlimited. Founded in 1991, soul brother records is a music and record shop based in london, and is one of the leading soul and jazz specialists music stores in the world. Michael babatunde olatunji was a nigerian drummer, educator, social activist. Columbia legacys reissue of drums of passion offers a chance for new listeners to fully appreciate the groundbreaking 1959 debut cd of the late african drummer michael babatunde olatunji.
By using our website and our services, you agree to our use of cooki. Michael babatunde olatunji grew to international fame beginning in the late 50s with his groundbreaking 1959 capitol records debut drums of passion. The invocation, both produced by hart on his acclaimed rykodisc world music series, put olatunji back in the spotlight. Hart later brought olatunji into the studio to record with carlos santana, airto moreira, and others. Billed as traditional african meditation music, this provocative mix of tribal wails, chants, and hypnotic percussion patterns is the first posthumous release from a nigerian master whose impact on western culture was profound and demands attention. Max roachs freedom now suite, drums of passion, and the rose that grew from concrete, volume 1. Olatunji was a drummer, social activist and musician, born in ajindo, nigeria. Drums of passion 1960 made african music popular in other continents and produced olatunji s signature song jingoloba, which sold over millions worldwide and has been.
Apr 06, 2003 babatunde olatunji discography and songs. At first he used the name michael olatunji he had previously used michael babatunde olatunji as a christianized form of his name, but later printings restored the name babatunde olatunji. Music profile for babatunde olatunji, born 7 april 1927. The album was a huge hit, remaining in print for decades and standing as one of the first examples of the american recordbuying public taking an interest in international music. Discover top playlists and videos from your favorite artists on shazam. Drums of passion is an album released by nigerian percussionist babatunde olatunji in 1960. Olatunji won a following among jazz musicians, notably creating a strong relationship with john coltrane, with whose help he founded the olatunji center for african culture in harlem.
His drums of passion album 1959 paved the way not only for a host of other releases of african music, but in many ways for the entire category of world music. Jul, 2009 six years after olatunji s death at age 75, and 50 years after its original release, drums of passion has received the deluxe treatment as a beautifully packaged 2xcd containing its companion. Drums of passion lp, vinyl record album a classic session of pounding percussion quite possibly the most successful entry into this dusty groove is chicagos online record store. Hailed as a genius by none other than jazz greats john coltrane, count basie, duke ellington and dizzy gillespie and referenced by bob dylan on his freewheeling album, olatunji has also toured with the rev. When he first appeared on the scene in america, babatunde olatunji was acclaimed by artists such as john coltrane and dizzy gillespie. Drums of passionthe beat1990 1990, mp3 tracks, 320 kbps lossy. In 1969, carlos santana had a major hit with his cover version of this first albums jingoloba, which santana recorded on his debut album, santana, as jingo. African folk music as well as world music in general was and still is just a budding passion. The idea clicks, and olatunjis african beats are contrasted by airto moreiras latin percussion, mickey hart s bombastic presence, and such special guests as carlos santana and bobby vega. Apr 22, 2006 why might circle of drums, a previouslyunreleased 1993 recording, be of interest. Before there was world beat music, before there was afropop or any of the other genres of african music marketed to western audiences, there was babatunde olatunji.
With his death in april 2003, the obituaries respectfully memorialized the nigerian expatriate, musician babatunde olatunji. Olatunji s drums of passion album may have been the first african music release recorded in a modern u. Nigerian drummer michael babatunde olatunji 19272003, though less well known than other african musicians who have exported their traditions to the west, deserves recognition as a pioneer among them. A virtuoso of west african percussion, babatunde olatunji traveled from. Stevie ray vaughan voodoo chile slight return 9211985 capitol theatre, passaic. Olatunjiafrican drumming dvd concert percussion videos. In 2002, it was released as a single layer stereo and 5. Robert millisleaf music, drunks, distant drums sadly unavailable record on the now defunct anomalous imprint. Drums of passion, an album by babatunde olatunji on spotify. Olatunjibabatunde olatunji first astonished audiences in the 1960s with his african drumming group and recording drums of passion. In this album he has recaptured some of his early impressions in his drum beats and giving them new zest. Drums of passion became a major hit and remains in print.
Michael babatunde olatunji born april 7th 1927, ajido, lagos state, nigeria april 6, 2003. As influential as this breakthrough record has been, it is. Provided to youtube by sony music entertainment jingoloba jingolowbah olatunji drums of passion. Babatunde olatunji april 7, 1927 april 6, 2003 was a nigerian drummer, educator, social activist, and recording artist. Find the song lyrics for michael olatunji top tracks. Nigerianborn drummer michael babatunde olatunji grew to international fame beginning in the late 50s with his groundbreaking 1959 capitol records debut drums of passion. Six years after olatunji s death at age 75, and 50 years after its original release, drums of passion has received the deluxe treatment as a beautifully packaged 2xcd containing its companion.
Lyrics to jingoloba drums of passion by michael olatunji. Babatunde olatunji drums of passion 1959 petty vendetta. It is considered one of the first world music albums. Oct 11, 2011 listen to your favorite songs from drums of passion. Olatunjis subsequent recordings include drums of passion. Search for library items search for lists search for contacts search for a library. Provided to youtube by sony music entertainment oya awyah olatunji michael olatunji olatunji.
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