Album Review: The Young African Brothers – The Young African Brothers (1981)
If you’re into music that feels like a warm hug from the past, then The Young African Brothers by The Yabs is worth your time. Released in 1981 under Zonna Records, this Nigerian highlife gem hits all the right notes for fans of Folk, World, and Country vibes. It’s not just an album; it’s like stepping into a lively village gathering where everyone's got rhythm in their bones.
Let’s talk tracks. First up, “Alanyi.” Oh man, this one sticks with you. The guitar work? Smooth as palm wine on a hot day. Sir Trigger Okotoko (real name Luke Dim), who wrote the whole thing, really pours his soul into this tune. You can almost picture him strumming away under some big tree while folks nod along. There’s something about how the melody builds—it starts chill and then BAM, it grabs you by the shoulders and makes you move. That’s highlife magic right there.
Then there’s “Ofu Nwa Jere Ogu.” This track feels like storytelling set to music. It’s got this steady groove that sneaks up on you, kinda like when someone tells you a joke so casually you don’t realize till later why it’s funny. The percussion bumps just enough to keep things interesting without stealing the spotlight. It’s easy to see why people back in ’81 were vibing hard to this one at parties or even just chilling at home.
Props go out to the crew behind the scenes too. Shoutout to Mr. Martins, the engineer—he kept everything crisp and clear. And Tholus? Dude crushed the artwork. Honestly, I wish more modern albums had covers this bold and colorful. Kudos also to Nnaghor & Enubuzor for producing—it takes skill to let the music breathe like they did here.
What gets me thinking, though, is how timeless this record feels. Highlife might’ve peaked decades ago, but listening to The Young African Brothers, you’d swear it could drop today and still turn heads. Maybe that’s because good music doesn’t age—it evolves, sure, but its heart stays the same.
Anyway, fun fact before I wrap this up: Did you know Sir Trigger Okotoko was basically the MVP of the group? Like, he didn’t just write these songs; he led the band AND gave himself a cool alias. If that ain’t dedication, I don’t know what is.
So yeah, if you ever stumble across this album, grab it. Put it on, close your eyes, and let it take you somewhere else. Just don’t blame me if you start dancing weirdly in your living room. Happens every time.
