Source Material: Joni Haastrup – “Free My People”

Joni Haastrup was a Nigerian bandleader and a singer who performed in the ’60s and the ’70s.  He started his career as a singer in his brother’s band Sneakers.  Then, Haastrup joined the Nigerian band Orlando Julius & His Modern Aces.  The band was led by Orlando Julius, a Nigerian singer and saxophonist.  Haastrup continued his ascent throughout the ’60s, and in 1971, he joined Ginger Baker on tour with his band Ginger Baker’s Air Force.  Ginger Baker was a drummer from the UK, and he was one of the co-founders of the rock band Cream.  After a successful tour, Haastrup returned to Nigeria, and he started his own band called MonoMono.  A few years later, he released his one and only solo album, Wake Up Your Mind (1978).  “Free My People” is one of my favorite records.

 Joni Haastrup – “Free My People”