Africa

Discography of Isaac Rogana Ottah

"Anioma" is a generic term for various Igbo groups who live in Delta State, Nigeria on the western side of the Niger River, away from the eastern Igbo "heartland." Although they are considered part of Ala Igbo - "Igboland," their culture is more influenced by that of the Edos and other ethnic groups of the old Benin Empire. The western Igbo dialects, among them Kwale, Ika and Ukwani, also show this influence and stand somewhat apart from standard Igbo, although they are mutually intelligible. Records from this part of Igboland are often labeled "Ukwani Highlife." If this genre could be characterized, it tends to be faster-paced and less subtle than the basic Igbo sound.

Guitarist Isaac Rogana Ottah, "The Oshio Super King," a prolific artist from Akoku, Ndokwa LGA, Delta State, is one of the better-known Anioma musicians. His musical career began in the early 1970s when he played in the bands of Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe and Rex Lawson. In 1973 he joined fellow Ndokwa native Charles Iwegbue and His Hino Sound Band. Striking out on his own after Iwegbue's tragic death in 1976, Ottah scored a major hit with his first LP, Ukwani Special, in 1977. In quick succession a series of outstanding recordings, notably the "Oshio Super" series, propelled Ottah to the vanguard of the Anioma recording scene. Although his career has slowed since the 1980s, he still makes a prosperous livelihood as a touring musician and continues to make recordings.

Other prominent musicians in the "Ukwani Highlife" genre are King Ubulu, Queen Azaka & St. Augustine.

John Beadle

1977
The Black Heroes led by Rogana Ottah
Ukwani Special (LP; Imade Records IRL 1003)
[A] Ukwani Special / Akpolu Nwa Ezenmor
[B] Weli Nwa Jeye Yeonye Agha / Odunobi

1978
The Black Heroes led by Rogana Ottah
Ejeluno Vol. 2 (LP; Imade Records IRL 1010)
[A] Ejeluno / Egunaso Obodo Enyi
[B] Onwu-Jacob / Umu-Odani

Late 1970s?
The Black Heroes led by Rogana Ottah
Olife Udene (LP; label & reference number unknown)
[A] ?
[B] ?

Late 1970s?
Rogana Ottah & his Black Heroes International
Ogo Amaka (LP; I.K. Brothers Records [Nigeria] IKLP 001)
[A] Ogo Amaka
[B] Ndidi / Asua Ghalim

1980
Rogana Ottah & his Black Heroes International
Money Hard to Get (LP; I.K. Brothers Records [Nigeria] IKBLP 004)
[A] Money Hard to Get
[B] Uwam Ishie Bu Eme / Ife Uwa Madini Uwa

1981
Rogana Ottah & his Black Heroes International
Oshio Super One "Azubuike" (LP; Odec [Lagos]ODEC 001)
[A] Azubuike
[B] Enu Enweosu Special / Comaj Special

1981?
Rogana Ottah & the Black Heroes International
Flash Special (LP; Odec [Lagos] ODEC 002)
[A] Flash Special / Onwu Ali Chukuma
[B] Dike Dini Obodo

1981
Rogana Ottah & his Black Heroes International
Oshio Super Two "Onyeloni" (LP; Odec ODEC 003)
[A] Onyeluni Isu Ogaga
[B] Ojebodo Eje Nmo / Onyeloni

1981
Rogana Ottah & his Black Heroes International
Oshio Super Three "Abiani Uwa Abia" (LP; Odec [Lagos] ODEC 007)
[A] Abiani Uwa Abia
[B] Ndu Eze Social Club

1981/82?
Rogana Ottah & his Black Heroes International
Asua Ghalim (LP; Odec [Lagos] ODEC 008)
[A] Asua Ghalim / Onu Uwa
[B] Onwu Nnamdi / Amali Obie

1982
Rogana Ottah & his Black Heroes International
Oshio Super Four "Okwuedili" (LP; Odec [Lagos] ODEC 009)
[A] Okwuedili / Cholu Ezioi
[B] Onwu Jacob / Umu Odani

1982
Rogana Ottah & his Black Heroes International
Ajo Oyi (LP; Akpola [Benin City, Nigeria] AGB 33)
[A] Ajo Oyi
[B] Ise Ise Ise / Obodo Anyi

1980s
Rogana Ottah & his Black Heroes International
Ndidi Amaka (LP; Akpola [Benin City, Nigeria] AGB 38)
[A] Anam-Obodo Enyi
[B] Ndidi Amaka

?
Rogana Ottah & his Black Heroes International
Ifeloni Special (LP; no recording information available)
[A] ?
[B] ?

1980s
Rogana Ottah & his Black Heroes International
Uzo Ndu (LP; Rogana Records RRLPS 002)
[A] Uzo Ndu
[B] Ndokwa People's Club

1984
Rogana Ottah & his Black Heroes International
Uyambe (LP; Sann Records SR 6)
[A] Egunefulu / Obode
[B] Uyabeme / Wegwai Yani

1980s?
Rogana Ottah & his Black Heroes International
Fire De Burn (LP; Akpola [Benin City, Nigeria] AGB 131)
[A] Love Your Neighbor / Onweh Azu Ka Igo
[B] Ndu Ka Aku / Fire De Burn

1980s?
Rogana Ottah & his Black Heroes International
Onye Iwe Ugba (LP; Odec [Lagos] ODBL 003)
[A] Onye Iwe Ugba
[B] Njom Nene, Osa Nanu Njo

1980s
Rogana Ottah & his Black Heroes International
Anyi Bu Ofu (LP; Odec [Lagos] ODBL 005)
[A] Eyele Eze Egwu / Ije Enu / Ojegenjege
[B] Okom-Onu Uwa / Anyi Bu Ofu / Kaweli Ofu Obi

1980s
Rogana Ottah & The Black Heroes International
Ekwa Alili Ana (LP; Odec [Lagos] ODBL 009)
[A] Ekwa Alili Ana
[B] Ugbo Ojo / Nwa Aga Esah

1980s
Rogana Ottah & his Black Heroes International
Ego Ni Nwa (LP; Odec [Lagos] ODB 25-L)
[A] Ego Ni Nwa
[B] Ife Oma Zu Osa

1990
Rogana Ottah & his Black Heroes International
Udie Chuku (LP; Matts Records [Benin City, Nigeria] MLPS 010)
[1] Udie Chuku
[2] Udozi Obodo I of Abbi / Maria

-- This discography was compiled by John Beadle at P.O. Box 100174, Milwaukee, WI 53210 USA. For weblog, visit (http://likembe.blogspot.com/), and E-mail to John Beadle
Thanks to: Jan Duinkerken, Gilbert Hsiao, Michael Scott, Chris Meserve..

Last updated on August 14, 2006

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