Name: No Condition Is Permanent
Brand: Celestine Ukwu

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

MRI136LP

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Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2022-08-05

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Cargo

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

850024931503

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Total Cap

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

Celestine Ukwu

Genre GB

African

Label GB

Mississippi

Originally founded by Alex Yusimov in 2003, Mississippi is a renowned music label that has made its mark in the industry. With Eric Isaacson at the helm in Portland, Oregon and Warren Hill in Montreal, Canada, the label gained recognition from MR-005 onwards. In 2011, it split into two entities - Lost Train Records and Mississippi/Little Axe Records (now known as just Mississippi).

Mississippi is primarily known for its affordable vinyl reissues that cater to fans of Americana, international music, and punk genres. The label's dedication to preserving and reintroducing classic releases ensures that music enthusiasts can enjoy timeless sounds with exceptional quality.

With an impressive catalog of *artists* and performers associated with the label over the years, Mississippi continues to captivate listeners worldwide. Whether you're a collector or simply appreciate great music, explore their collection of reissued vinyl records for an unparalleled listening experience.

Of the many great talents of the classic Nigerian highlife scene, none contained the existential depth, transcendence and grace of Celestine Ukwu. During his brief time in this world, he pursued education, music, and philosophy; first as a school teacher, then ultimately a singer, lyricist and musician, first as a member of Gentleman Mike Ejeagha's Premier Dance Band, and eventually fronting his own groups, The Music Royals and The Philosophers National. Beginning in the early 1970s, The Philosophers National established a radical shift in the possibilities of Nigerian highlife by moving away from the typical mid-century style and cutting a new path with a distinctly hypnotic and cerebral atmosphere. This sense of depth was apparent in the lilting, multi-layered and pulsing music of The Philosophers National, as well as the concise and clear-eyed lyrics sung so beautifully by Celestine Ukwu.

The arrangements establish a living, breathing environment for each song; muted trumpet solos, hypnotic guitar runs, driving percussion; every instrument gracefully following a tide of patience, tranquility, wonder, climax, knowing and unknowing. "Celestine ditched the jaunty dance rhythms and relatively facile lyrics typical of the reigning highlife tunes, and ignoring the soul music tropes most of the highlife bandleaders were appropriating in an effort to inject new life to their ailing format. Instead Celestine concocted a new highlife style that was more contemplative and lumbering; with the layering of Afro-Cuban ostinato basslines and repetitive rhythm patterns that interlocked to create an effect that was hypnotic, virtually transcendental. Meanwhile, Celestine himself sang as he stood coolly onstage in a black turtleneck and a sports-coat, looking like a university professor. 

The message was clear: this was not necessarily music for dancing—even though the rhythms were compelling enough. This was music for the thinkers." - Uchenna Ikonne. This LP compiles some of Celestine Ukwu's deepest and most affecting songs from the 1970s, which have been gorgeously restored and remastered by Tim Stollenwerk to highlight the brilliant details of Celestine and the entire Philosopher's National. Pressed on 160 gram black vinyl at Smashed Plastic in Chicago, and comes in heavy 3 spot-color jacket, with fold-over insert with bilingual lyrics and notes by Uchenna Ikonne (Comb &amp; Razor Sound). 

No Condition Is Permanent

Music GB