Jin-go-lo-ba
"Jin-go-lo-ba" (or "Jingo") is a song by Nigerian percussionist Babatunde Olatunji, featured on his first album Drums of Passion (1959). In Yoruba (Olatunji's native language) it means, "Do not worry."
"Jingo" | |
---|---|
Song by Babatunde Olatunji | |
from the album Drums of Passion | |
Genre | Afrobeat |
Length | 3:16 |
Label | Columbia |
Songwriter(s) | Babatunde Olatunji |
Producer(s) | Al Ham |
The song featured "African-derived rhythms and chants" along with "swooping orchestration".[1] In his autobiography, Olatunji said that this was the only song on his first album that he claimed formal ownership of, meaning that it was the only song he received royalties for.[2] American disc jockey Francis Grasso described the song as "rhythmically sensual".[3]
Media
It has been featured on the Wii playable dance-game, Just Dance.
Cover versions
It has been covered by Serge Gainsbourg, under the title Marabout and with no credit given to Olatunji, on his Gainsbourg percussions LP (1964). The song was also covered by James Last on his album Voodoo-Party (1971), by Pierre Moerlen's Gong on their Downwind album (1979), Candido Camero (aka Candido) on his Dancin' & Prancin' album (1979), by Steve Lee (songwriter) on his album FKW - Jingo (1994) and by Fatboy Slim on his album Palookaville (2004). A cover version was also released by independent dance act the Ravish Brothers (featuring a Hot Funky Daddy Groove) in 1988, in Lightwater, Surrey. The song was also featured in the Hindi serial "Chandrakanta" that aired on DD.
Another cover was also released by Jellybean aka John Benitez in 1987 from his album Just Visiting This Planet. This version was a chart success in the UK, peaking at #12 & charting for 10 weeks.
Santana version
"Jingo" | |
---|---|
Single by Santana | |
from the album Santana | |
Released | August 1969 |
Recorded | May 1969 |
Genre | Latin rock |
Length | 4:21 |
Label | Columbia |
Songwriter(s) | Babatunde Olatunji |
Producer(s) | Santana, Brent Dangerfield |
The song was also covered by Santana, on their first album (1969), though Grasso noted this version was not as popular as the original.[3] Spanish journalist Jose Miguel López stated that when Santana released "Jingo" as a single, it was first credited to Carlos Santana. Only years later the credits were corrected.[4]
References
- Shepherd, John (2012). Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World Volume 8: Genres: North America. A&C Black. ISBN 9781441148742.
- Olatunji,Babatunde (2005). The Beat of my Drum: An Autobiography. Temple University Press. ISBN 9781592133543.
- Lawrence, Tim (2004). Love Saves the Day: A History of American Dance Music Culture, 1970-1979. Duke University Press. p. 34. ISBN 9780822385110.
- http://www.rtve.es/ (4 May 2016). "Discópolis 9333 - Los sesenta 45 Santana". Discópolis (Podcast). Radio Televisión Española. Event occurs at 09:18. Retrieved 16 May 2016.