William Onyeabor - Atomic Bomb [Fission Red]

William Onyeabor remains one of the most mysterious and mythologized figures in world music. A self-made businessman and filmmaker who became a born-again Christian, he spent the late 1970s and early 80s in Enugu, Nigeria, self-releasing a series of records that sounded like they were beamed in from another galaxy. Atomic Bomb, originally released in 1978, is the crown jewel of that discography—a masterpiece of hypnotic, electronic Afro-funk that feels as revolutionary today as it did nearly fifty years ago.

The title track, "Atomic Bomb," is a sprawling, polyrhythmic marvel. Driven by bubbling Moog synthesizers and Onyeabor’s signature deadpan vocal delivery, it builds a trancelike groove that bridges the gap between West African highlife and early Kraftwerk-esque electronics. Elsewhere, tracks like "Better Change Your Mind" serve as a direct address to the world, blending cosmic keyboard solos with sharp social commentary. Even a decade after the global revival of his music, the sound remains undeniable; it is music that truly "explodes," vibrating with a futuristic energy that modern electronic producers are still trying to replicate.

This limited color vinyl edition from Luaka Bop celebrates the enduring legacy of Onyeabor’s vision. Mastered to capture the warm, saturated analog punch of his private studio sessions, the pressing ensures the "intergalactic" synth squelches and driving percussion are front and center. Housed in the iconic, vibrant sleeve art, this color reissue is a tribute to a man who transformed a small studio in Nigeria into a portal for the future of funk.