Apex Choir’s recent release, “Ebenezeri”, begins with a triumphant percussion and piano section, setting the tone for the 24-min spin. Unfurling with gentle highlife percussion and brass symphony, the lead vocalist segues into the chorus: “Ebenezeri wa re e o, nibi te ran wa lowo de/K’amaa jo o, k’ayo, ka f’ogo f’olu/Ebenezeri wa re e, e ma ma se e se/Ki ma ii se nipa agbara, oluwa lo ni imo at’oye”.
Sung in Yoruba, the polyphonic groove essentially spins as a deep reverence to God and supplication for his consistent intervention. As a Christian worship groove, it packs quite the didactic punch; and as a musical offering, it reverbs as a deeply immersive, heritage-leaning and intricate composition.
From the lyricism, Apex Choir’s “Ebenezeri” rings as a very introspective record. Ebenezer, loosely translating to “stone of help”, is derived from the Hebrew lexicon. However, Apex Choir nativises the title to ‘Ebenezeri’, drawing attention to the song’s audience and its underlying multicultural groove.
The song goes on to medley other popular Yoruba Christian worship songs like “Ese Ibi Te Ti Bere”, hammering lyrical emphasis with call-and-response backing vocals throughout the entire song.
As a typical facet of the Celestial Church of Christ, which the Apex Choir represents somewhere in the Ketu suburbs of Lagos, the music in “Ebenezeri” also phrases, or mimics, the lyrics, boosting easy recall for the listeners as it preaches faith, gratitude and hope in God.
As a live recording, Apex Choir’s “Ebenezeri” also stands out for its sheer tonal clarity. With a large ensemble choir, the lead vocalist directs the groove to reflect its rich folk traditions, especially with the talking drum and highlife guitars, as well as an intricate arrangement style that prioritises a mid-tempo pace overall.
Thanks to the lead percussionist, Peter David, the percussion gives the recording its distinct cultural soul as well as its battery life throughout the spin.
Halfway through the groove, and it’s almost ambiguous if this is a worship or praise recording; nonetheless, as is common practice with the Celestial Church of Christ choirs in Nigeria, the musicality is better expressed in a dancey groove than in a sombre drift.
In short, its catchy, soulful yet groovy tune is actually the engine room of “Ebenezeri”, keeping the lights on for enjoyment, shock value and enjoyment.
“A korin ayo a m’ope wa/ Agbo igbe ibukun aidiye le, to fi fun wa a a, la se ndupe,” the lead vocalist sings sonorously over the recording.
In “Ebenezeri”, it’s as if the syncopated breaks are the lifewire to the song’s pace, because they’re loosely punctuated with chants and percussions that remind one of the 2006 Nigerian gospel classic, “Olori Oko” by the now defunct male quintet Infinity.
It’s this type of multi-layered arrangement that keeps “Ebenezeri” spinning as a distinct groove.
While the medley continues with half a dozen other popular Yoruba Christian folk gospel tunes, the sonic composition continues to drift with a soulful tempo that dilutes the intense, dancey groove.
It climaxes with stretched vibratos from the choir, chanting “Oba to to bi aro” as the lead vocalist cues, “Gbogbo eniyan e ba mi ki o!” highlighting Apex Choir’s interesting blend of antiphons in their African folk compositions.
Overall, “Ebenezeri” shines as a powerful Christian worship groove, peaking with tonal clarity, deep messaging, harmonic balance and a memorable delivery – especially for a live recording – that keeps it sticky in the minds and heart of the listener.
It’s rich percussive section, textured with Peter David’s signature African folk fusion, lights up the entire medley and focus track “Ebenezeri”.
Despite being a lengthy spin with several medley fillers that oft distract from the titular focus track, “Ebenezeri”, it soars with an emotionally intense cadence and ‘balance of tensions’ that purge the listener with catharsis.
Ultimately, it’s a catchy listen, poised to elevate live concerts/ministries, and it is primed to age well with a strong replay value. It sits at 7/10.
Peter Sunday David is a trained musician and critically acclaimed drummer with over a decade of experience playing music. He graduated from the Muson School of Music, Lagos, in 2012, majoring in music, jazz drums and African percussion; he also clinched the best jazz drummer award in the school.
He furthered with a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Lagos and graduated from the music department as the best instrumentalist in 2019.
As part of the Muson symphony orchestra, he’s performed all over Nigeria, and he has worked as a percussionist, sound engineer and band leader for other superstars including Waje, Tekno, Kent Edunjobi, and Olamide.
He played the drums in “Ebenezeri”, which he performed alongside the Apex Choir of the Celestial Church of Christ, Ketu, Lagos. He also plays for several other church-based choirs/orchestras, including the Daystar Christian Centre in Lagos.
