The Funkees were a famous afro-rock band formed in the late 1960s. They serenaded their audience with beautiful lyrics written in Igbo and English language, with danceable-funky afro-rock beats. The band included: Harry Mosco (The Founder, Lead Singer, Guitarist and Gong player), Chyke Madu (Drummer and Singer), Mohammed Ahidjo (Singer and Percussionist), Roli Paterson (Bongo player), Jake N. Sollo (Guitarist, Organist, Pianist and Singer), Sonny Akpabio (Conga player), Danny Heibs (Bassist, Singer and Percussionist) and Tony Mallet. The band originated as an Army Band for the Nigerian Army after the end of the Nigerian Civil War and they had a huge influence on the high influx of Nigerian youths that made music after the horrors of the war.
The Funkees were the number one Afro-Rock band in Eastern Nigeria and stood toe-to-toe with the established Afro-Rock Bands in Lagos. They brilliantly combined Afrobeat with Rock to produce a sonically pleasing, danceable sound filled with heavy presence of guitars and percussion; a uniquely distant yet familiar sound.
FINDING SUCCESS IN A NEW SPACE
The band relocated to the United Kingdom in 1976 after the war and soon attained higher heights than they did at home. They became popular among the Black Community; The West African and Caribbean expatriates especially. They became bigger and more successful after moving to the UK, selling more records and selling out several shows. They conquered the Nigerian and also the UK market, becoming a trans-continental household name.
DISCOGRAPHY
The Band released two albums;
- Point of No Return (1974)
- Now I Am A Man (1976)
A compilation album of the 70s Nigerian sound was curated and released by Soundway Records. It contained some of the hit songs and the album was titled; Dancing Time: The Best of Eastern Nigeria’s Afro Rock Exponents 1973-77 (reissue compilation)
BREAK UP
The Band was invited at the FESTAC ’77 but it proved to be the beginning of the end for the Band. After the festival, they had a Nigerian tour during which the band experienced internal issues that eventually led to a break up. The Lead Singer, Harry Mosco went on to be a solo artiste, releasing five albums: For You Specially (1978), Country Boy (1978), Peace & Harmony (1979), Sugar Cane Baby (1982), Heartbreak (1983). Harry Mosco died in 2012.
