AKALAKA / THE POWER | VINYL RECORD (LP)
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AKALAKA / THE POWER | VINYL RECORD (LP)
Product DESCRIPTION
Release Date: 11/06/2020
BBE Music presents Akalaka and The Power, a double helping of old-school Igbo highlife from one of the genre's acknowledged masters, Victor Chukwu. Highlife was the music that the Igbo people made their own after the horrors of the Biafran war; music that rebuilt a sense of pride, identity and dignity. Tabansi recording star 'Uncle' Victor Chukwu's super-rare, almost un-Google-able albums Akalaka and The Power are now in your hands, issued back-to-back by BBE for the first time anywhere in four decades. These sets were probably recorded around 1977-79 at the Tabansi Studios in Onitsha, with Chief Tabansi also mixing and mastering: a 100% homegrown Tabansi product. Victor worked with a bassist, a drummer, and some brass- although he also doubled himself on tenor sax and arranged much of these glorious sessions. The songs have an inimitable feel-good quality: happy, dignified, proud, spiritual, everything except one composition in a major key. Perhaps it's no surprise that many 70s and 80s Igbo highlife group members are today gospel singers and musicians. Seven killer Igbo grooves combined in this first ever reissue of two impossible-to-find Tabansi LPs back to back, based around the traditional Ogene 6/8 bell 'clave' and brass-heavy, spiritual highlife.
Shipping Policy
In Stock Items
Items marked as In Stock typically ship within 2–5 business days.
Once your order ships, you’ll receive tracking information by email.
Backordered Items
Some items may be available on Backorder if inventory is temporarily unavailable.
When purchasing a backordered item:
- Payment is collected at checkout
- Your order secures a place in the fulfillment queue
- Items are fulfilled in the order they are purchased
Most backorders are fulfilled within approximately 3–6 months, though timelines may occasionally be longer depending on supplier manufacturing, distributor allocations, repress schedules, or inventory availability.
Backordered items may ship separately from other items in your order.
You can monitor, manage, or cancel eligible unfulfilled backordered items anytime through your customer account portal.
Preorder Items
Preorder items are upcoming releases scheduled to ship on or around the official release date provided by the label or distributor.
Release dates may occasionally change due to manufacturing or supplier delays.
Preorder items follow the same fulfillment and account management process as backordered items.
Additional Fulfillment Information
Orders containing multiple inventory types may ship separately as items become available.
Estimated fulfillment timelines are provided as general estimates only and are not guaranteed.
When will I receive a tracking number?
We provide tracking for every order. Tracking will be available once your product is shipped. All of our products are shipped out of our warehouse in Westlake Village, CA. You can track your order through your account on our website, via any of the shipping confirmation emails we've sent you, or through the Shop App.
Can I cancel my order?
Customers may cancel eligible unfulfilled items at any time before they enter the shipping process directly through their customer account portal. Once an item has entered shipment processing or has shipped, it becomes subject to our standard Returns & Refund Policy.
Tracklist Preview
- Ogbu Mmadu
- Nwanne Bu Nwanne
- Born Throw Away
- Akalaka
- Onwu Uwa
- Anya Ukwu
- Oge Chukwu Ka Nma
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Product DESCRIPTION
Release Date: 11/06/2020
BBE Music presents Akalaka and The Power, a double helping of old-school Igbo highlife from one of the genre's acknowledged masters, Victor Chukwu. Highlife was the music that the Igbo people made their own after the horrors of the Biafran war; music that rebuilt a sense of pride, identity and dignity. Tabansi recording star 'Uncle' Victor Chukwu's super-rare, almost un-Google-able albums Akalaka and The Power are now in your hands, issued back-to-back by BBE for the first time anywhere in four decades. These sets were probably recorded around 1977-79 at the Tabansi Studios in Onitsha, with Chief Tabansi also mixing and mastering: a 100% homegrown Tabansi product. Victor worked with a bassist, a drummer, and some brass- although he also doubled himself on tenor sax and arranged much of these glorious sessions. The songs have an inimitable feel-good quality: happy, dignified, proud, spiritual, everything except one composition in a major key. Perhaps it's no surprise that many 70s and 80s Igbo highlife group members are today gospel singers and musicians. Seven killer Igbo grooves combined in this first ever reissue of two impossible-to-find Tabansi LPs back to back, based around the traditional Ogene 6/8 bell 'clave' and brass-heavy, spiritual highlife.
Tracklist Preview
- Ogbu Mmadu
- Nwanne Bu Nwanne
- Born Throw Away
- Akalaka
- Onwu Uwa
- Anya Ukwu
- Oge Chukwu Ka Nma
Become A Member
Welcome to the Vinyl Vista Rewards Club — the ultimate experience for vinyl lovers!
Earn points, unlock exclusive perks, and get rewarded every time you shop. Whether you're here to grow your collection or enjoy the VIP treatment, our membership and loyalty programs make every spin more rewarding.
Collect points. Get discounts. Enjoy free shipping.
Join The ClubBonus Rewards Points:
Earn extra points on every purchase and redeem them for discounts, store credit, or exclusive vinyl releases.
Free Shipping & VIP Perks:
Members enjoy complimentary shipping, priority handling, and exclusive access to limited-edition drops, presales, and member-only discounts.
Monthly Vinyl Delivery (Optional):
Receive a hand-picked record each month curated by our experts — delivered straight to your doorstep.
Flexibility:
No long-term commitments. You can change plans, pause, or cancel anytime — and keep your earned points.
Shipping Policy
In Stock Items
Items marked as In Stock typically ship within 2–5 business days.
Once your order ships, you’ll receive tracking information by email.
Backordered Items
Some items may be available on Backorder if inventory is temporarily unavailable.
When purchasing a backordered item:
- Payment is collected at checkout
- Your order secures a place in the fulfillment queue
- Items are fulfilled in the order they are purchased
Most backorders are fulfilled within approximately 3–6 months, though timelines may occasionally be longer depending on supplier manufacturing, distributor allocations, repress schedules, or inventory availability.
Backordered items may ship separately from other items in your order.
You can monitor, manage, or cancel eligible unfulfilled backordered items anytime through your customer account portal.
Preorder Items
Preorder items are upcoming releases scheduled to ship on or around the official release date provided by the label or distributor.
Release dates may occasionally change due to manufacturing or supplier delays.
Preorder items follow the same fulfillment and account management process as backordered items.
Additional Fulfillment Information
Orders containing multiple inventory types may ship separately as items become available.
Estimated fulfillment timelines are provided as general estimates only and are not guaranteed.
When will I receive a tracking number?
We provide tracking for every order. Tracking will be available once your product is shipped. All of our products are shipped out of our warehouse in Westlake Village, CA. You can track your order through your account on our website, via any of the shipping confirmation emails we've sent you, or through the Shop App.
Can I cancel my order?
Customers may cancel eligible unfulfilled items at any time before they enter the shipping process directly through their customer account portal. Once an item has entered shipment processing or has shipped, it becomes subject to our standard Returns & Refund Policy.
