#465 King Sunny Adé, 'The Best of the Classic Years' (2003)

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This is a one hour, eleven minute compilation of Nigerian musician, King Sunny Adé’s music pre-signing to major label, Island Records. Adé is one of the first African musicians to gain international success and is one of the most important afrobeat musicians of all time. This is an album that you certainly need to be in the right from of mind while listening, especially if you’re not familiar with the Yoruba language (I’m not). The beats are beguiling and his guitar playing is astounding.

The big hit from this compilation, ‘Syncro System,’ was taken from the album of the same name. In 1982 that album was nominated for a Grammy, making him the first Nigerian musician ever to be nominated for a Grammy (the second was Sade – there’s been 11 in total). 

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