Joe Moks Boys And Girls

Calling all students of late 70s Nigerian Boogie. Class is in and you’re about to get schooled by music professor Josephine Mokwunyei, aka Joe Moks. Spotted by legendary producer, Odion Iruoje, and nurtured by his protege, Alex Tony Okoroji, Joe Moks pioneered a wonky, hi-tech style of funk that would become the sound of 80s Nigeria. Her album Boys And Girls is brash, bouncy and fun, decorated by scatty synth lines and propelled by the ‘magic hand claps’ of Nigerian rhythm legends Steve Black, Goddy Igidigi and Ifi Okwechime. The title track and ‘You Look Without Seeing’ are spaced-out party starters. ‘Closer Than Skin’ boasts a super slinky bass line and ‘Love Is Gonna Pay’ is a slice of Bony M Euro pop. And, just beneath the froth, strong intelligent lyrics demanding respect and equality. ‘Being In Love Is Being Involved’ was the blueprint of new kind of relationship Nigerian women were looking for. Joe Moks only made one album. She made a few appearances on Victor Uwaifo’s TV show before becoming a professor of Music and Theatre Arts at the University of Benin. But forty years on, Boys And Girls remains a lesson in fun and intelligent Nigerian boogie. - Peter Moore