Throwback Times present this impressive rare article bothering on the history and all the ups and down that reshaped the foremost music group that originated 1972 in the South Eastern, Nigeria.
According to African Music, Oriental Brothers label actually describes five or six different band groups. The original band, led by Godwin Kabaka Opara, was founded by the Opara brothers of Mbaise, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria - Ferdinand Dan Satch Emeka Opara, Christogonous Ezebuiro Obinna ("Warrior") and Kabaka, along with Nathaniel Ejiogu ("Mangala"), Hybrilious Alaraibe ("Akwilla"), and Prince Ichita. Mangala died shortly before the band became popular in the early seventies.
Then there are the "Oriental Brothers" group with Dan Satch and Warrior after Kabaka left; and the "Oriental Brothers" led by Dan Satch after the final split in 1987 after the release of the album Onye Egbula Nwanne Ya x Anyi Abiala Ozo. With each defection the sound of the group has changed subtly. Until Warrior's death in 3rd June of 1999, however, Warrior continued to call his factional band the "Original Oriental Brothers" concurrently with the Dan Satch "Orientals Brothers International" To keep things simple, this discography lists under "Oriental Brothers International Band" all of the various incarnations of the group that carries that name. Kabaka's group, Kabaka International Guitar Band, has its own listing, as do Warrior and his "Oriental's factions."
To confuse matters more, on at least two occasions since the final split the Opara brothers reunited to record albums under the "Orientals" moniker. As if that weren't complicated enough, there has been at least one other "Orientals" group led by Prince Ichita (see below). In addition, there are the ORIGINAL Brothers, also from Owerri, led by Warrior sound-alike Sir Major, who may or may not be connected with the Orientals, but have a quite similar sound.
There are at least two other groups that originate in splits from one of the Orientals bands - the State Brothers International Band led by Aloy Anyanwu, and Chuks Nnadiekwe's Orlu Brothers International Band. Both groups' recordings are listed here.
For all this evident factionalism, there is no disputing the great influence of ALL the Oriental groups on contemporary Nigerian music. Their great contribution was fusing Congo-style guitar work with various traditional Igbo rhythms to create a fast-paced musical style that was beloved by Nigerians from all ethnic backgrounds and walks of life. Their sound emerged at a time of great crisis for the Igbo people in the wake of the Biafran war. As Maurice O. Ene, editor of "Kwenu" magazine, writes: "... the Orientals played a very important spiritual role in keeping many Ndi-igbo sane. They were the pride of a people traumatized by a war so vicious."
I am greatly indebted to Vitus Johnson Laurence for the invaluable information he has provided for this discography.
Oriental Brothers International Band
1974
Oriental Brothers International Band led by G. Kabaka Opara
-- Sampler containing tracks from several different incarnations of Oriental Brothers - Tracks 1-3 from the early united band, track 4 from the "Dan Satch" group, Track 5 from the 1987 "reunion" album, and Track 6 by Warrior.
1996
The Oriental Brothers
Oriental Ge Ebi (LP; Super International Records [Lagos] SI 071) (CD; Sontec Digital SON 38CD)
Godwin Kabaka Opara's band has continued into the nineties with a vigorous touring schedule throughout Nigeria, and of all the Orientals off-shoots, its lively sound comes closest to that of the early pre-split band. I caught them at a Christmas Eve 1995 show in Awo-Omamma, Imo State, where they thrilled the crowd with renditions of early Oriental hits like "Ihe Onye Eche," "Chi Awu Otu" and "Uwamesi Special ." His music is often referred to as Nkotonko as well as high-life, native blues and merengue. - J.B & T.E.
Do Better if You Can/Onye Ikekwere Mekeya (CD; Original Music [US] OMCD 034)
Oh Dear Jesus / Ebemana / Mmawu Egbu Special / Onye Ikekwere Mekeya / Ijemana Iyomana
-- Although it is labeled as by "Kabaka Opara's Oriental Brothers International," this isa compilation of older material by the Kabaka International Guitar band, as spoken comments at the beginning of the opening track clearly indicate. A copyright dispute?
Dr. Sir Warrior & his Oriental Brothers - Original
Chief Christogonous Ezebuiro Obinna, better known as "Dr. Sir Warrior," died on Wednesday, June 2, 1999, and was buried on June 19 in his hometown of Umuhu Enyiogugu, Mbaise, in Imo State. Leader of the best-known and most popular of the "Orientals" groups, Warrior was famed for his powerful voice as well as his mastery of traditional Owerri men's dance.
>From an article by Ben Duru, "Musicians, Others Remember Sir Warrior," in the July 2, 1999 edition of the "Post Express" (Lagos):
"Eminent highlife musicians and ordinary Nigerians alike have continued to pay tributes to Chief Christogonous Ezebuiro Obinna who died last month. Obinna, better known as Sir Warrior, was the leader of the famous Oriental Brothers Band of Owerri which ruled the highlife music scene for several decades in the country...
"'He did not enjoy the fruits of his labour,' said Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe, the venerable highlife maestro, of Sir Warrior. 'When I confirmed the news of his death, I was almost paralysed. I was shocked to my bones,' Osadebe told our reporter. Chief Oliver De Coque, the Ogene superstar, also spoke in a similar vein, praising the musical genius of Sir Warrior. 'He was a very good and amiable person. I am sad because we have lost such a genius. When I heard the news, I was dumbfounded... The first thing that occurred to me was that we have lost a genius in highlife.'
"'General' Ferdinand Dansatch Emeka Opara, the man who brought Warrior into music, also pays glowing tribute to his friend, colleague and erstwhile partner. 'I cried and cried,' said Dansatch. 'I felt that I had lost a rare gem, a genius, a powerful vocalist.'
"Mr. Chris Osuji, a furniture maker, also remembers the great Warrior with deep sorrow. 'We, from Mbaise have lost a lot in the death of Warrior. I hope one of his sons will take over from him,' said Osuji.
"A patent medicine dealer, Mr. Hezekiah Okoro, sums up the feelings of millions of Nigerians over the death of Sir Warrior: 'He was an illustrious son of Nigeria. Warrior brought happiness to us through the music he played.'"
Since the death of Sir Warrior, two of his sons, Uchenna and Ajuzieogu Obinna, have vowed to carry on their father's legacy. Their first performance with the Original Oriental Brothers was at Warrior's wake in June. Since then the group has performed in Onitsha, Aba, Port Harcourt, Onu, Benin City, Umuahia and Lagos, among other localities. No recordings have yet been made.- J.B.
Ultimate Dr. Sir Warrior & his Oriental Brothers International Band of Nigeria
Nke Onye Diri Ya (LP; Super International [Lagos] SI 055)(Video CD; Super International [Lagos] SIV 055)
[A] Warrior Abiala Ozor / Onye Di Nma Na Azu
[B] Nke Onye Diri Ya
1994
Ultimate Dr. Sir Worrior & his Oriental Brothers
Ofe Owerri (LP; Super International [Lagos] SI 063, CD; CD World/Sontec SON 37, CD; Mossiac Music [New York] MMCD 0074) (CD; Super International [Lagos] SI 063)
[A] Ochichi Nigeria / Omebunwa Ogbenye
[B] Ofe Owerri / Uwa Chia Chia
-- "Warrior" is mis-spelled "Worrior" on the album cover. The Mossiac reissue of Ofe Owerrii also includes the contents of Super International LP SI 055, Nke Onye Diri Ya
1995
Ultimate Dr. Sir Worrior & his Oriental Brothers
NigeriaAny-Ga-Ebi (LP; Super International [Lagos] SI 065)1) (CD; Super International [Lagos] SI 065)
[A] Anyi-Ga-Ebi(We Shall Live)
[B] Kwu-Kwa-Ezi-Okwu (Say The Truth)
1996
Dr. Sir Warrior & his Oriental Brothers
Who Goes There (LP; Super International [Lagos]SI 070) (CD; Super International [Lagos] SI 070)
[A] Who Goes There / Oko Nke Gi
[B] Uwa Bu Nke Onye / Oko Nke Zik
Late 1990s?
Dr. Sir Warrior & his Oriental Brothers International Band of Nigeria
Ndi Ji Ego (CD; Mossiac Music [New York City] MMCD 00510)
Uwa Self II / Chi Na Eme Mma / Uwa Di Egwu / Ndi Ji Ego
2001?
Dr. Sir Warrior & Oriental Brothers International Band
Uwa Safe / Ndi Ji Ego / Hapum Mebiri / Ginyem Egum Mu Enye Gi Nke Gi
Uche & Ajuzieogu Warrior & the Oriental Brothers Band
Since the death of Sir Warrior, two of his sons, Uchenna and Ajuzieogu Obinna, have vowed to carry on their father's legacy. Their first performance with the Original Oriental Brothers was at Warrior's wake in June 1999. Since then the group has performed across southern Nigeria. They have just released their first CD. - J.B.
2000
Uche Warrior & Ajuzieogu Warrior & the Oriental Brothers Band
Tribute to Dr. Sir Warrior (LP; Super International Music Agency Ltd. SI 094. CD; World Son 0ll)
[A] Awuruse Biri Na Osisi / Ihe Onwu Mere Nayi Na Uwa
[B] Sir warrior Si Anyi Tiwe Egwu / Sokwa Onye Ulo Aso
Emperor Teddy Obinna
Although he calls himself "Junior Warrior," Teddy Obinna is in fact the late Warrior's half-brother (Warrior's father had three wives). He has made a big splash in recent years with his new soukous-flavored update of the classic Warrior sound. J.B. & V.J.L.
2002
Emperor Teddy Obinna (aka Junior-Warrior)
Uwa Wu Paw-Paw (CD; label unknown SW 2192)
Onyegbula / Onye-Ugwu / Nsogbu-Uwa / Gwupiti N Zu / Uwa Wu Paw-Paw
2004
Emperor Teddy Obinna (aka Uwa Wu Paw-Paw)
Uwa Shekiga e Shekiga (Cassette; C. Meks & Sons [Onitsha, Nigeria] CMS 14)
[A] Uwa Shekiga e Shekiga / Onye Nchem
[B] Ikwe Mmegbu / Alafegam Nsogbu
Prince Ichita & The Great Oriental Brothers International Band
Prince Ichita and Lyvinius "Akwilla" Alaraibe, founding members of the Oriental Brothers, left in 1977 to form their own "Great Oriental Brothers Band" with a very similar sound. Itchita died in poverty in the 1980's. Warrior then took Akwilla on as a member of his Orientals, where he stayed until Warrior's death in 1999. - V.J.L.
Late 1970s?
Prince Ichita & The Great Oriental Brothers International Band '78
Onye Shi Mu Na Ya (LP; EMI Nigeria NEMI 0382)
[A] Onye Shi Mu Na Ya Adeghi Mma / Uma Elu Uwa Aparala Anyi Gama
[B] Nyem Obi Gi / Satan Worshippers
Early 1980s?
The Great Oriental Brothers International Band Led by Ichita Ahumareze
Ebube Nkwa (LP; EMI Nigeria NEMI 0466)
[A] Oguawuike
[B] Okara ozo eme ozo
Early 1980s
Prince Ichita & The Great Oriental Brothers International Band
Nchekwube (LP; EMI Nigeria NEMI 0549)
[A] Ashishi Uka / Hie Eji Aku Eme
[B] Nchekwube / Onu Ya Ka Onu Gi
Orlu Brothers International Band
"Sir Cardinal" Chuks Ndadiekwe, who hails from Isunjaba, Isu LGA, Imo State, was a founding member of the "Warrior" faction of the Oriental Brothers in 1980 and left several years later to form the Orlu Brothers International Band, based in the city of Orlu, Imo State. With several members from Ghana, the Orlu Brothers' style differs somewhat from the punchy, hard-driving Orientals sound. Characterized by lyrical guitar work and close-knit vocal harmonies, their "O Boro Chi Kele Chi" was one of the standout highlife releases of the eighties. - J.B. & V.J.L.
1982
Cardinal Chuks and His International Guys
Uba Akagi Nwa (LP; Zonto [Nigeria] ZRLP 001)
[A] Charity / Ome Nma / Nke Iruka
[B] Uba Akagi Nwa / Akaraka
1983
Orlu Brothers International Band of Nigeria
O Boro Chi Kele Chi (LP; Top [Nigeria] TOP 003)
[A] Uwa Shiri Ike / O Boro Chi Kele Chi
[B] Ada Nne / Gwam Okwu
1987
Orlu Brothers International Band
Onye-Ejile-Eme-Onu (LP; Super International [Lagos] SI 007)
[A] Cheremu Nwannem / Ochiri Ozuo
[B] Onye-Ejile-Eme-Onu (Akwa Ariri)
1990
Sir Cardinal Chuks Ndadiekwe & Orlu Brothers International Band of Nigeria
Igboshirike (LP; GCI Records [Nigeria] GCIB 001)
[A] The Nigerian Community in United States of America
[B] Igboshirike
Aloy Anyanwu & his State Brothers International Band
Like the Opara brothers, Aloysius Anyanwu hails from Mbaise, a locality that has produced several other Igbo musical notables like Joe Nez. He was a founding member of the original Ikenga Super Stars led by Vincent Okoroego. Following Kabaka Opara's departure from the Oriental Brothers he was invited to join the band by Dan Satch & Warrior. Like Kabaka, Anyanwu is a talented guitarist.
Ironically, like his former mentor, Vincent Okoroego, Anyanwu would be involved in an act of musical larceny. In the early seventies, the Ikengas were founded when Okoroego & other members of Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe's Nigeria Sound Makers hijacked a master tape from the band to release under the name "Nkengas." In 1978, Anyanwu likewise stole an Oriental Brothers tape to release under his own name. Before he could do so, he was caught and dismissed from the group. Subsequently the band took out an injuction in the Owerri Chief Magistrate's Court stopping him from using their work. This episode inspired the Orientals' song "Ozo Wu Iwem," meaning "This is My Annoyance".
With his own group, the State Brothers International Band, Anyanwu is still playing but is not very active. - V.J.L.
1982
Aloy An,yanwu & State Brothers International
Nwannem (LP; Homzy [Enugu, Nigeria] HCE 060)
[ A] Nwannem
[ B] Uba / Okpom
1985
Aloy Anyanwu & his State Brothers International Band
Egwu Onu-Nnwa (LP; Rogers All Stars [Onitsha, Nigeria] RASLPS 055)
[A] Egwu Ono Nwa / Ekwensu Anwazinam
[B] Ezi-Nwanemu / Me and You Nwa One
1986
Aloy Anyanwu & his State Brothers International Band
Chi Nwe Ndu (LP; Rogers All Stars [Onitsha, Nigeria] RASLPS 070)
[A] Chi Nwe Ndu / Late Madam Eunice Anyanwu
[B] Ihe Onye na Eme / Uwa Na Enye Nsogbu
Original Brothers International Band
Owerri-based group led by Warrior sound-alike Sir Major. Possibly no connection with the Orientals but listed here for the sake of inclusivity. -J.B.
1980
Original Brothers International Band
Obi Nwanne (LP; Rogers All Stars [Onitsha, Nigeria] RASLPS 011)
-- This discography was compiled, in collaboration with Toshiya Endo, by John Beadleat P.O. Box 100174, Milwaukee, WI 53210 USA. For weblog, visit (http://likembe.blogspot.com/), and E-mail to John Beadle
Special thanks to: Gilbert Hsiao, Vitus Johnson Laurence, Claire Nzerem, Duncan Brooker, David Noyes, Zim Bida...
Source: African Music
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