William Onyeabor is a mystery man, even to the folks at Luaka Bop, who have just released World Psychedelic Classics 5: Who is William Onyeabor?, which collects tracts from the eight albums released by the Nigerian Igbo singer/songwriter between 1977 and 1985.
Onyeabor doesn’t do interviews or tour, and even his record company can’t get any information about him.
Based on the tracks below, William Onyeabor makes a strange, infectious funk and has a compelling voice that doesn’t really remind me of anyone
THere’s a fascinating story about William Onyeabor in today’s New York Times.
And there’s a review of the album at Pitchfork.
William Onyeabor, “Good Name”
William Onyeabor, “Better Change Your Mind”
Cool promo video from Luaka Bop: