From the CD Compilation (British Library of Popular Music)
Awon Ojise Olorun - Popular Music in Yorubaland 1931 - 1952
Most Nigerians have heard of the name Julius Araba, or more simply Araba J.O. at some point in their lives, but few in modern times reckon with the name that is so quick on the lips of several older musicians of mature and established repute.
As the days go by and the years roll in, one might begin to wonder where Nigeria is coming from musically; but that story would be difficult to tell without resounding the contributions of incredible artists of the mid 1900s, such as J.O. Araba.
A contemporary of his in those times, 81 year old Olaseni Tejuosho who only recently (three years ago) released his own first album tells, of Julius Araba in fond and loving memory. He told of the late 1930s and early 1940s when both of them struggled to make headway in life because of their love for music. J.O. Araba at the time Araba was working with the Nigerian Railway Corporation and also playing music.
They stayed and practiced together until one day that the late Steve Rhodes saw them, was impressed, and advised them to go to NBC for a recording and also form a band. Julius Araba, who is credited with some of the first recordings of Yoruba music, is no doubt one of the most important musicians of that time. In the process of forming his band back then, looking for a good Agidigbo player, J.O. Araba and Olaseni Tejuosho found Fatai Rolling Dollar at Idi Oro and teamed up to record a short album under the name J.O. Araba and His Afro People Band.
With huge hits like 'Osupa Ko Dadi Osan', Julius Araba was a significant part of the Nigerian musical culture and Lagos highlife across the industry through the 1950s until when the Nigerian civil war broke out in 1967 that disrupted hightlife and drafted many into the army while others began to embrace juju music.
Not to be confused with O.J. (Orlando Julius), J.O.'s style was distinct and more primordial, set back in those times preceding Nigerian independence when indigenes needed to be reminded much of what 'heritage' meant.
In his time, Julius \"J.O\" Araba worked with the likes of Nigerian highlife legends like Bobby Benson and Steven Amechi, even though his style was more juju-like, as can be heard in his hit song 'Iyawo Ma Pa Mi' of those years. Performed by Julius Araba and his Rhythm Blues.
Listening to such historical tracks one may not immediately realize that this was a man whose music has much influenced the current styles of modern legends like Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey and King Sunny Ade.
Not too much is written in recorded history of this man and musical legend, but there is a lot to be gotten from his music, his legacy, which made him a force to be reckoned with in his time and even today.
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