The sounds of spring

The sun was shining, some of our near-record snowfall was melting and "OSALOBUA REKPAMA" by SIR VICTOR UWAIFO & HIS MELODY MAESTROS was pouring out of my car's stereo speakers.
It sure seemed like spring, at least for three minutes and 22 seconds.
I have been listening to the marvelous compilation, "NIGERIA SPECIAL: MODERN HIGHLIFE, AFRO-SOUNDS & NIGERIAN BLUES 1970-6" for the past several days -- I think because we all have Nigeria on our minds.
My 12-year-old daughter KERSTIN is writing to a Nigerian pen pal for a school project, my coworker MARY just interviewed a visiting Nigerian author and I just finished reading CHINUA ACHEBE's incredible "THINGS FALL APART."
It just made sense to listen to Nigerian pop music: Africa's most populous nation seems close at hand these days.
The music on the compilation is infectious, catchy, memorable and bubbling with joy.
The band names are great, too.
Consider the following band names on this compilation:
+ CELESTINE UKWU & HIS PHILOSOPHERS NATIONAL.
+ THE DON ISAAC EZEKIEL COMBINATION.
+ DAN SATCH & HIS ATOMIC 8 DANCE BAND OF ABA (to distinguish itself from all of the other "Atomic 8 Dance Bands" not from Aba?).
+ POPULAR COOPER & HIS ALL BEATS BAND.
+ BOLA JOHNSON & HIS EASY LIFE TOP BEATS.
+ GEORGE AKAEZE & HIS AUGMENTED HITS.
The list goes on. And so does the feeling that with this brilliant music, the prospect of spring can't be far behind.