Easy wonder CD launched In London

PRESS RELEASE -- PRESS RELEASE

ISIAKA AKANJI TAKES FUJI TO CYBERSPACE!!!

Dateline : London, Chicago, Toronto, Lagos, Berlin, Sydney

Embargoed : 21st March 1998

The Popular Lagos-based Lapote FUJI STAR ISIAKA AKANJI (aka Easy Wonder) has scored a remarkable first. He is the FIRST Fuji Artiste to have an homepage on the world-wide Internet computer system often referred to as cyber-space.

The ISIAKA AKANJI Homepage contain excepts from his new best-selling compact disc (Isiaka Akanji - Easy Wonder, Biamila 010 ) on the Biamila International Label. The CD was recorded in Lagos and remixed in London and Chicago.

The 70 minute plus album is packed with hits and confirms Akanji's position as a leading cross-over Fuji international Artiste. The CD has already received wide international acclaim and is one of the few African CD's being played on British and American Radio Stations.

The lead track 'Abami Eda' is the first tribute to the late Fela Aninlalapo - Kuti. Akanji acknowledge the contribution of the Afro - bent star to world music. The success of the Nigeria Olympic Dream Team at Atlanta 96 are celebrated in song and there is preparation for the world cup France '98. Akanji is the first Artiste to record the France '98 world cup song.

Akanji said at the launch of the web - page; " I am proud to be the first Fuji artiste to set up a web - page to reach my international fans. It will allow us to keep in contact. I thank them for supporting me in buying my new compact disc and helping me to spread the Yoruba culture world - wide ".

The web - pages have been set - up by Ola Biamila, the leading London - based music producer who said " Akanji is a truly international Artiste. We have been overwhelmed by the response to his debut Compact Disc. In the short - time on the web - page has been available his fans in Australia, China, U.S, Canada, Finland, Austria etc. have logged - on to send him congratulation messages.

Dateline: London, Chicago, Toronto, Lagos and Berlin. Embargoed 3rd November 1997

The popular Lagos based Lapote Fuji star Isiaka Akanji (a.k.a easy wonder) has released a sensational new Compact Disc (CD) on the Biamila international label. The CD was recorded in Lagos and remixed at the Biamila studios in London and additional post production in Chicago.

The new CD was launched at the Penrith centre Peckham London on Sunday 2nd November 1997 to a packed audience. The pre-release songs have been wooing audiences at clubs and parties.

The 70 minutes plus album is packed with hits and confirms Akanji's position as wonderful export for Nigeria. The CD has already received wide international acclaim and is one of the few African CD's being played in British and American radio stations.

Biamila - Keeping African Music Alive

The lead track Abami Eda is the first tribute to the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Akanji acknowledges the contribution of the afro-beat star to world music. The departures of notable Nigerian musicians Prince Niko Mbatga (sweet mother fame) and I.K. Dairo this year were also acknowledged.

The success of the Nigerian Olympic dream team at Atlantis '96 are celebrated in song and there is a preparation for the world cup France '98. Akanji is the first artiest to lead the cheer for the green eagles new challenges. The new album places Akanji into the international arena and in sure to win him new audiences.

The album has been produced by Ola Biamila who said at the launch "it was a pleasure to work with such a talented artiest as Akanji who has already demonstrated his potential as band leader, composer and patriot."

Akanji joins the ranks of the few artiest from Nigeria with a compact disc release international arena. In a video message to the gathering Akanji paid tribute to his easy wonder band and the international production team at Biamila he looked forward to bringing his music to his new world-wide audience.

Bosola Ajenifuja press secretary London

Isiaka Akanji 'easy wonder' (Biamila CLPCD 010)

African Fuji music has started to make an impact on the international market. This is the music of the Yoruba's of the western part of Nigeria. The new compact disc by Isiaka Akanji is a landmark recording

Demonstrating the power of the music. It is heavy percussion-based music with looping talking drums which is unique to this part of Africa. The music has been modernised by producer, Ola Biamila without losing It's roots.

The album at over 70 minutes is full of potential hits that are already anthems in downtown Lagos. The outstanding tracks are: 'Abami Eda' a haunting and powerful tribute to the late Fela Kuti, a giant of Afro-

Beat world music. Fela would have been a serious contender for the 'African music' category if there had been one in the recent 'MOBO' Awards. How about a posthumous award at this years ceremony?

Remember you read it first here!

Akanji is a keen football fan. It is therefore not a surprise that he should sing the Nigerian world cup song (France 98 ).This is the song that would be heard on the terraces of Paris, Lyon and Kingston (when

Olympic champs, super eagles play a friendly against Jamaica soon). Straight to the Reggae Boyz heads.

Serious issues are raised by the music. The track 'democracy' laments the state of the nation where democratically elected president remains in goal and those that protest about environmental degradation

And pollution are hanged! This is powerful protest music at it's best. Players of instruments shall be there on judgement day.

This is a stunning international debut. If you are only going to buy one African CD, then this is it.

Leroy smith

Isiaka Akanji 'Easy Wonder' (Biamila CLPCD 010)

Nigeria has a rich cultural heritage. In music they gave us Highlife, Juju, Sakara, Afro-beat and now comes Fuji... Isiaka Akanji a leading exponent with his Lapote style which combines modern instrumentation

With drum dub sounds. The album has international pedigree. It was Recorded in Lagos and mixed in London and Chicago by Ola Biamila.

I cannot understand much of what is said but I felt the vibes! I took it to my spar (Femi) who played it at a party. It was a floor filler after more research I found out about the underlying message in the track 'democracy'. I remember that I did not understand Xhosa during the Apartheid era in S.A but I know the songs were about injustices.

The late Fela Kuti is perhaps the best known Nigerian of his generation. There is one track that laments his passing and that of other great musicians, prince Nico Mbarga and I.K. Dairo.

Football is a universal language, so it is clear to me who Akanji is rooting for in the track 'France 98'.

This is a good cross-over album which could broaden it's appeal by having a translation of the tracks in the sleeves, afterall we cant all have Femi to run to!

Paulette Thompson