Lawson played with Sammy Obot, Bobby Benson, Victor Olaiya, Chris Ajilo, and other Ghanaian and Nigerian musicians and bands. His greatest success came as the leader of the Majors Band (also called the Rivers Men in later years); their recorded hits include So ala teme, Yellow Sisi, Gowon Special, and Jolly Papa.
A highly emotional and deep musician, Lawson was known to weep and shed tears while singing his own songs on stage, notably the haunting So ala teme. The late Sir Maliki Showman, the famous Nigerian tenor saxophonist who played with Rex Lawson, Bobby Benson and Victor Uwaifo, remembers Lawson as always placing music over money. Lawson is famed for his infectious gregariousness, his musical vision, talent, perseverance and individuality.
From the back cover of record:
It is very unusual for me to arrive at the Studio before 7 o'clock in the mornings and even more unusual It is for musicians to get into the Studio before 10 a.m. But as it happened on this Friday morning. I woke up feeling very enthusiastic. You know, one of those mornings when you feel on top of the world and expect something really big to happen. So on this morning I found myself in the studio premises by 7 a m, and why I saw was really amazing - a crowd had gathered near the entrance and was spreading the news like wild, fire that the Cardinal had once again hit town
Curiousity made me decide to peep into the studio right away. Incompatible and incomprehensible sounds were emanating there from - musicians tuning their instruments I could readily recognize four or five familiar faces. First, it was Etim Udoh whose wistful, dreamlike sex was an attraction, in itself, to the now defunct Kakadu Hotel in the days of Eliazer Arinze. Then it was lgochiko Okwuechime another giant of the alto sax whose wonderful work with Stephen Osadebes Nigerian Sound Makers is still to be equalled how much more surpassed. I also saw trumpeter Raymond Barber, former leader of the Travellers Lodge Atomic 8 of Aba; trombonist Ben Jack who could be described as Assistant Eland Leader cum Manager; and finally Anthony Odili whose conga works added special flavour to the band's old records. Directing the affairs with effortless expertise was Rex himself I then began to ruminate that with Rex fronting such giants and the bard's unprecedented punctuallity he might be having something extra special up his sleeves.
From the back cover of record:
It is very unusual for me to arrive at the Studio before 7 o'clock in the mornings and even more unusual It is for musicians to get into the Studio before 10 a.m. But as it happened on this Friday morning. I woke up feeling very enthusiastic. You know, one of those mornings when you feel on top of the world and expect something really big to happen. So on this morning I found myself in the studio premises by 7 a m, and why I saw was really amazing - a crowd had gathered near the entrance and was spreading the news like wild, fire that the Cardinal had once again hit town
Curiousity made me decide to peep into the studio right away. Incompatible and incomprehensible sounds were emanating there from - musicians tuning their instruments I could readily recognize four or five familiar faces. First, it was Etim Udoh whose wistful, dreamlike sex was an attraction, in itself, to the now defunct Kakadu Hotel in the days of Eliazer Arinze. Then it was lgochiko Okwuechime another giant of the alto sax whose wonderful work with Stephen Osadebes Nigerian Sound Makers is still to be equalled how much more surpassed. I also saw trumpeter Raymond Barber, former leader of the Travellers Lodge Atomic 8 of Aba; trombonist Ben Jack who could be described as Assistant Eland Leader cum Manager; and finally Anthony Odili whose conga works added special flavour to the band's old records. Directing the affairs with effortless expertise was Rex himself I then began to ruminate that with Rex fronting such giants and the bard's unprecedented punctuallity he might be having something extra special up his sleeves.
And was I proved right? Yes, and from the very first take of the session Despite the drastic change in personnel brought about by the recent crisis in the country the band still has that touch of glamour that endeared it to the hearts of all music lovers.
Tracklist & Info:
Side One:
LOVE "M" ADURE SPECIAL - here played in Akpasa tempo is quite slower but certainly more graceful than the original It opens with a delightful alto sax solo by lgochiko against a repetitive "Ewo re - wo-eo-ewo re wo" by the chorus. Rex then comes in with a touch of humour (underlaid on most of the tracks in the album) - 'Why have they not warmed the soup?" the master asks. The servant replies "No sir, count them, pa them, na them. na them lick am".
GOWON SPECIAL - "Gowon bote aye", meaning Gowon has come. A tribute to the Nigerian Head of State for successfully accomplishing the task of keeping Nigeria one. Etim Udoh playing with melodic elegance wonder-fully insinuates himself into the pro-ceedings with a long, serpentine line.
SATURDAY SOP DI - Hare, Composer/vocalist Willie Udoh is appealing to Saturday. which is the market day, to arrive early so that he can cook a special soup-YELLOW SISI - a composition by Santa Isabel born Raymond Barber, features. Rex and Raymond on the vocals. it has an interesting Calypso thing going under it.
NKPA KE DA OWO - death with its icy hands is taking many people away and this reminds us that as the sun rises and sets each day. It will eventually be our respective turns. There is a lovely change in tempo to Asiko halfway through.
Side Two:
TOM KIRI SITE - Rex laments the state in” which the world has degenerated. A world where even brothers don't know brothers.
WASENIGBO TUA - This is a traditional moonlight dance of the Ijaws here played in Akpasa Tempo.
AKWA ABASI - Our father in heaven, let your name be Praised. This is a composition by guitarist Bassey Udoh. This number may truly justify the name "Cardinal" by which Rex is widely called. Notice how he shouts himself hoarse at the beginning, when the spirit begets him. maybe. Brothers Willie and Bassey Udoh took the vocal spot.
NUME INYE - "Everyone has a talent from God. Singing is my own talent" Rex says. It commences with another of those Etim Udoh's melodic solos.
PERI SPECIAL MBANGA II - Victory! Thanks be to the gods that what our predecessors had laboured for - the birth of the Rivers State - had been achieved at long last. It is climaxed by lgochiko's marvellous solo. On me whole this album shows that Rex still has that magic spell to which many of us have swayed and will continue to sway for a long, long time
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