Seven Degrees North

1	Samba 5:07
2	Suku Suku Bam Bam 9:41
3	Appreciation 6:49
4	Ode Ma Ti P'ogidan S'Oko 3:48
5	Solution 9:40
6	Ogidan O Ni Se Barber 7:11
7	Ariya 9:00
8	Merciful God 6:36
9	Sijuade 4:06
10	Congratulations Happy Birthday 6:12

Barnes & Noble

The CEO of Afro-pop, King Sunny Ade is poised to reconquer the international scene with SEVEN DEGREES NORTH, the follow-up to his Grammy-nominated ODU. During the first wave of world beat in the '80s, the percolating wonder of King Sunny's African Beats made the juju monarch a rumored successor to Bob Marley's throne. Consolidating his stock during the dog days of grunge, King Sunny turned his attention to his holdings in Lagos, presiding over his various record labels, nightclubs, recording studio, oil company, video production house, and even running for Nigeria's newly democratic senate. But times have changed, and the epic jamming of post-Dead HORDEsters has opened up a new market for the King's relentless boogie. When all the polyrhythmic stars of his band are aligned -- talking drums, multiple guitars, bells, shekere, and his signature weeping pedal steel -- the African Beats kick up a head of steam that's hard to beat. SEVEN DEGREES NORTH is best when the band is allowed to heat up on the nine-minute "Solution" and "Ariya," which unfold like luxurious carpets of rhythm, and "Ogidan O Ni Se Barber," which lets Biodun Fatoke tell a story on pedal steel. But the King can make a point, too, on the short, sharp "Samba" which opens the album with a funky breakdown signaling the good things to come. With more than three decades of solid performance, King Sunny Ade continues to be a worthwhile investment. Mark Schwartz

All Music Guide

As King Sunny Ade embodies good humor and unflagging desire to realize a brighter future for Nigeria and its people, the music from his 23 piece band overflows with a buoyant optimism that is indelibly energetic and celebratory. Songs that praise the sacred ("Appreciation" and "Merciful God") and honor the ancient Yoruban King Sijuade Olubuse Okunande ("Sijuade") are interspersed with songs that ask for ("Solution") and offer guidance on such things as finding your path in life or making sure that the string on a dancer's bikini doesn't break ("Ogidan O Ni Se Barber" and "Samba," respectively). The most nimbly played track on the CD, "Ariya," begins with a series of synchronized punctuations, smoothly darts forward at an impressive pace, and then -- about half way through -- breaks down into an even more accelerated percussion jam that highlights a talking drum solo. Signaling the end of the tune with a trail of notes from his guitar, Ade comes back in with the other instruments of the band moments before the tune fades out. Other notable characteristics on the CD include the polished harmonies on such songs as "Appreciation," the tasty guitar melodies on songs like "Solution," and the elastic steel guitar lines by Biodun Fatoke. Seven Degrees North -- which refers the relative equatorial position of Lagos, Nigeria -- is the third Mesa release by the royal Yoruban. Though it has been almost 40 years since he began playing highlife and 30 years since he debuted his sounds for large American audiences, King Sunny Ade's Seven Degrees North does not drag. On the contrary, he and his band crank out good humored, upbeat, intelligent, and smartly constructed tunes that make one want to dance in celebration of Nigeria's determination and future. John Vallier