The founder of
MonoMono, Nigerian
Joni Haastrup took a slightly different turn with his 1978 solo debut,
Wake Up Your Mind. Recorded in London, he made a disc that was decidedly more American funk than something African, with deep grooves and some fiery solos (listen to the sax and flute work on "Greetings," for example, both flying over a disco backdrop). It's politically aware ("Free My People"), but above all, it's a gem of ‘70s funk. That means there are strings as part of the overall sound, and the bass is mixed happily to the fore, ready to get dancers out on the dancefloor. Although a very talented keyboard player it's
Haastrup's vocals and composing skills that are front and center here, a move away from the jazz-rock that had been his sound earlier in the decade. Africa is still there, underneath everything, but
Haastrup made a truly international album, one that deserved more exposure when it was released, and which should find a wider audience now. ~ Chris Nickson