Synchro System

Synchro System

King Sunny Ade's second international release carries on what he achieved with <I>Juju Music</I>, taking I.K. Dairo's legacy of juju music into the modern age. With more dialogue between instruments and voices, it flows a little more freely than its predecessor, and the title track, with its marvelous talking drum solo, is an absolute Ade gem. While the production occasionally sounds dated--the stereo effects are unnecessary--the music itself is nothing less than sensational. "E Saiye Re" stands as one of the great all-time dance tracks, and you have to wonder why this disc didn't bring Ade the international superstardom his label had hoped for. The King himself is in excellent voice, and his subjects surround him with a rich carpet of sound. Nigh on perfect. <I>--Chris Nickson</I>