Join the extraordinary journey of Harcourt Ikoli Whyte and Nnamdi Olebara in "ARC Studios: A Musical Oasis." In 1971, Ginger Baker embarked on a daring expedition across the Sahara Desert, determined to establish a groundbreaking recording studio in Lagos, Nigeria. An acclaimed English drummer, celebrated as "Rock's first superstar drummer."
Their quest led them to the birth of ARC (Associated Recording Co.) Studios-an ambitious project spearheaded by Ginger Baker, Tony Palmer, and American engineer Tony Orlando. This state-of-the-art studio boasted top-tier equipment, including the revered Helios console, a Studer 16-track tape machine, and meticulously designed acoustics by Sandy Brown Associates.
ARC Studios quickly became a haven for diverse artists from across Nigeria. Perry Ernst, Bongos Ikwue and the Groovies, Ife University theater, John Silverstone, and the Uvwie Federal Love Club were among the many who embarked on a pilgrimage to capture their creative sounds within its walls. Even Paul McCartney & Wings chose this legendary studio to record their iconic album, "Band on the Run."
Amidst the tapestry of talents, a remarkable figure emerged-Harcourt Ikoli Whyte, a leprosy survivor, and his band, Harcourt Whyte & Choir. Born in an era when leprosy had no cure, Whyte defied societal stigmatization to become an advocate for lepers. Despite the deformities inflicted by the disease, he penned an abundance of spiritual hymns and songs that uplifted his fellow Igbo people, particularly during the tumultuous Biafra Civil War. Several of Whyte's documented and celebrated works were recorded at ARC Studios, featuring choir members who also battled leprosy.
Nnamdi Olebara, a brilliant musicologist and poet, arranged and conducted the album showcasing Harcourt Whyte's music. While limited information exists about Olebara, he is revered as a weeping poet, prophet, and social critic by esteemed scholar Ogbuagu Joy Ogoegbunam. Through his poignant verses, Nnamdi Olebara's poetry transcends time and serves as a catalyst for societal transformation.
Within this collection, Olebara's powerful, dramatic, and haunting voice unveils the profound philosophies of the Igbo people. These nine poems, transcribed and adapted from the original 1974 recordings at ARC Studios, offer a mesmerizing glimpse into a bygone era. It is our duty to share this invaluable work with a wider audience-for our forefathers, our children, and the generations yet to come. Experience the magic of Poetry, in "ARC Studios: A Musical Oasis" and be transported into the rich tapestry of Igbo philosophy.