Benis Cletin - 1979 - Jungle Magic

Benis Cletin

1979

Jungle Magic

01. Jungle Magic 6:33

02. Mr. Teacher 5:41

03. Rain, Sun And Love 6:16

04. Love Forever 5:46

05. Fireman 4:40

06. Beautiful Continent 4:44

Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Synthesizer – Benis Cletin

Backing Vocals – Emmanuel Uche

Backing Vocals, Keyboards, Organ, Strings, Synthesizer – Tom Yums*

Bass Guitar – George Achini

Drums, Percussion – Mambo

Considered an acid boogie classic, Jungle Magic is a cosmic transmission from the early days of Nigerian disco. The bass lines are lethal. The synths are fat and squelchy. And the groove is non-stop and primal. Channeling the jungle gods of funk and introducing them to Donna Summers, the title track, ‘Jungle Magic’, takes you to a freaky place you didn’t know existed but never want to leave. ‘Love Forever’ brings a Calypso party vibe while ‘Fireman’ suggests Prince may have been listening to Benis when he wrote ‘Alphabet Street’. The album was composed and produced by Benis Cletin. He also played guitar and synthesizer and sang lead vocals. George Achini from the Mighty Flames stars on bass and Mambo Sticks, Nigeria’s leading disco drummer, lays down the rock solid grooves. Benis went on to release three more albums, which will be re-issued by PMG soon. Jungle Magic remains the album where he introduced his irresistible brand of psychedelic disco funk to world.

Benis Cletin's album "Jungle Magic" is a vibrant and captivating musical journey through the lush and mysterious world of the African jungle. With its fusion of traditional rhythms, hypnotic beats, and soulful vocals, this album takes listeners on a wild and enchanting ride. Cletin's masterful use of traditional instruments such as the djembe and kalimba adds a rich and authentic layer to the album, while his smooth and soulful voice effortlessly carries each song. "Jungle Magic" is a true celebration of African culture and music, and will leave listeners feeling energized and transported to a magical world of rhythm and melody.

A set that definitely lives up to the promise of its title -- as it offers up this magical blend of earthy elements and Afro Funk -- all served up in a style that's quite unique! Benis Cletin has a massive bassist on the set -- who creates these pulsating lines that are strongly funky at the start of most tracks -- which really locks things in, while Benis stretches out on his vocals, and sometimes adds in these weird moogy keyboards -- almost with a William Onyeabor sort of vibe! There's also other organ and keyboard lines that intertwine with the grooves -- all in ways that are never too slick, or trying for any sort of crossover Afro Disco styles -- even though a number of cuts here would be perfect for a funky dancefloor.