This is a nice LP I got in stock a few months back and miraculously got back in recently. Initially I thought this was perhaps the famous highlife trumpeteer St. Augustine, issuing an LP under a pseudonym? No, it didn’t make sense, and my friend Uchenna over at With Comb & Razor confirmed my suspicions. In fact, none of us seem to know who Olisa is (side note: the Comb & Razor blog is fantastic, and indispensible if you are interested in Nigerian music).

And so, sadly, I have not much information to provide for this record. Olisa allegedly played saxophone under Cardinal Rex Lawson and Chief Osita Osadebe; beyond that, not much more is known, just one more late 70s release on the prolific Eastern Nigerian Homzy label. The cover is tough as nails, and the notes on the back describe an “era when most Nigerian musicians are either going reggae or influenced by their foreign counterparts”, For his part, Olisa intends to be “among the loyal few” “who stick to their roots and refuse to succumb to foreign influence.”

The sound is at turns jubilant yet mellow, a gear or two down from the more thumping dance band sound that was popular. Each side contains one Highlife and one “Native Blues”. With the exception of the title tune, the pace is almost lethargic; perfect for a nice day spent watching life go by. Hypnotic guitars, muted trumpets, a perfectly placed horn section (not too brassy or overbearing) all contribute to a really wonderful listen.

No Body Knows Tomorrow really stood out among the first crop of Nigerian records I received and holds up after many repeated plays.

Enjoy!

Download HERE

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