It ain't easy

Ofege was formed in the early 1970s by a bunch of teenage hippies at the prestigious St. Gregory's College in the Obalende area of Lagos Nigeria. Ofege was largely influenced by the guitar solos of Carlos Santana, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Francis Rossi, and the criss-cross rhythms of Osibisa. At home, they were influenced by the music of ‘BLO’ (Berkley Jones, Laolu Akins and Mike Odumosu), ‘Monomono’ (led by Joni Haastrup), The Funkees, and Ofo The Black Company. Comband Razor said "It's clear that for Ofege, songs were largely incidental, little more than excuses to launch into insane, distorted guitar solos. It's also very clear that they smoked a lot of weed." Their first album was recorded while the band members were still in high school (average age of 16), Ofege’s debut album "Try And Love" was originally recorded and released in 1973. Due to their vibrant combo of sweet harmonies, hooks & fuzz, they would become one of the most legendary Nigerian groups of all time, with impressive sales and national stardom. However, with only four albums released until 1978 and no recognition outside Nigeria, Ofege’s short career would only be rediscovered with the turn of the century. Their third album, "Nobody Fails," continues in the same vein as their first two with slight post-60s harmony vocals. This is especially notable on tracks like "It's Not Easy," where the fuzz breaks out/breaks free, wild and uncompromising, while the complex, insistent African rhythms carry the song along smoothly. The bits of funky elements are completely dissolved in the overall psychedelic effect. "The Last Of The Origins" is a great funk-rock record with a rather psychedelic approach. The rhythm section is attractive and complex and has African inspirations. The lyrics aren’t particlulary inspired, but the drive is incredible, and they draw attention to instrumental parts wherever they can. The psychedelic organ takes care of the mind-losing groove, while fuzz guitars soar and improvise. The 60s influenced vocals can be reminiscent of the Stones, or just leave themselves flooding with the psychedelic drive. It took some years before other albums appeared since some band members still had to finish university. Its Members included; Melvin Noks: Lead Vocals/Rhythm. Paul Alade: Bass Guitar. Mike Meme: Drums. Soga Benson: Lead/Solo Guitar. Felix Ijeh: Rhythm/Tenor Guitar. Dapo Olumide: Keyboards. Felix Inneh: Percussionist.

Don’t ever buy nothing from a man named Truth Don’t ever buy nothing from a man named Truth I’ll tell you right now that it ain’t no use Don’t ever buy nothing from a man named Truth Pain was hunting me down but I gave him the slip I left the city through a tunnel and I headed for the styx With oregeno oil in the morphine drip Pain was a-hunting me down but I gave him the slip And I fell in love with identical twins They lived thirty-four summers between the two of them I gave one my ego, I gave one my id Yeah, I got to get back to my pretty little twins Don’t ever buy nothing from a man named Truth Don’t ever buy nothing from a man named Truth I’ll tell you right now that it ain’t no use Don’t ever buy nothing from a man named Truth I was lost for a year in those almond trees The sun was rising in the south and setting in the east I was a half awake, I was half asleep I thought I’d never get out of those almond trees And don’t think too slow in syruppy the sun You’ll get buried alive when the caterpillar comes Tapping your time on congo drums Just don’t think too slow in the circling sun I met a black-skinned man with an ice cream grin And a blonde afghan with some heroin And we moved to the mountains where the highway ends And I got myself that ice cream grin So don’t search too long for that Aztec gold Well, like old Cortez, you’ll lose your soul Turn an honest man into Diablo Yeah, don’t trade your soul for no Aztec gold Don’t ever buy nothing from a man named Truth Don’t ever buy nothing from a man named Truth You look in my eyes, you can (and you’ll) see the proof Don’t ever buy nothing from a man named Truth Don’t ever buy nothing from a man named Truth Don’t ever buy nothing from a man named Truth Don’t ever buy nothing from a man named Truth Don’t ever buy nothing from a man named Truth