THE LIJADU SISTERS Vinyl & CDs

Review: The Lijadu Sisters and Numero Group have entered into a groundbreaking partnership focused on both reissue and reparation as a way of celebrating and reexamining the impact of the iconic artists. Identical twins Yeye Taiwo and the late Kehinde Lijadu were pioneers in Nigeria's cultural golden age who released five influential albums in the 1970s, thereby helping to shape their home nation's music for over 50 years. Their unique harmonies and innovative sound have inspired artists like David Byrne, Amaarae, and Jamie xx and first up in the reissue series is a remastered edition of their 1979 album Horizon Unlimited, featuring the hit 'Come On Home,' with their entire discography and previously unreleased material all to follow.

Review: Released in 1979 on Decca's Afrodisia imprint, Horizon Unlimited stands as a landmark in the Lijadu Sisters' discography. Produced by Fela Kuti's collaborator Odion Iruoje, and featuring BLO's Laolu Akins and Lemmy Jackson, this album blends raw funk with seductive electricity. The six tracks on this reissue are a masterclass in merging traditional rhythms with modern funk, exemplified in songs like 'Orere-Elejigbo,' 'Erora,' and 'Come On Home.' Each track opens with talking drums, weaving intricate percussion with fluid basslines and subtle synth tones. The Lijadu Sisters' harmonies remain the focal point, gliding over hypnotic grooves that maintain their freshness without becoming repetitive.