I'm not really sure whether Oba Funke really exists, if you check his website (www.obafunke.com) and read all the stuff about not liked to be photographed because of religious beliefs, his shyness and so on, you may get the same impression as me, that Oba [that means King in Swahili, don't ask me what Funke means :-)] is just an alter ego for King Britt (who's also the mastermind behind Sylk 130). The story behind CosmoAfrique may be a nice myth for marketing reasons (and it is very well made regarding the website), but what really counts is the music.
And the music truely is amazing. Like the title and layout of the album suggests you get a lot of African influence on Ola's debut album. If you liked the more afro-influenced house songs by Blaze or on King Street's Abstract Afro Lounge compilations for example than this album is really the highlight of 2002 for you. But Oba has more to offer than just some housed-up beats. With guest musicans like Wumni (you may remember his collaborations with Masters At Work or Osunlade), Zapp Mamma (of Crazy Life fame - which was released some months ago on Shelter Records), Diva Blue (of Sylk 130 fame) or Uzoamaka, we get more of an update of afromusic for this millenium.
One of the highlights on offer is Bush Workout with it's over 15 minutes. It's a tour de force into modern african influenced music which builds and builds and lefts you wanting to hear it again and again with its mesmerizing drums, horn section and chants and overall jazz influences. Bush Workout would be worth the price of CosmoAfrique alone but we get a lot more like the socially aware Uzoamaka (sung or better narrated by, er, Uzoamaka), some nice scatting by Diva Blue on Buttamilk, the percussion driven Obachant with some chants by Wumni (who's also featured on Osaou), the equally appealing 911 with Marie Daphne of Zapp Mamma, and another Diva Blue sung song in the shape of the hypnotic Freedom (already released as on 12" and with vocals by Oba Funke).
And as a special surprise there's also a King Britt/Oba Funke remix of the Jamyz Nylon song Shango that appeared on Jaymz Afrotach album for Irma Italy some years ago.
All in all a highly recommendable album...miss it at your own peril!