Kalita are honoured to release the first ever compilation focusing on the musical career of Julie Coker, the queen of Nigerian television. Here we collate seven of Julie’s most sought-after Afro disco and hauntingly-beautiful Itsekiri highlife recordings, accompanied by extensive interview-based liner notes and never-before seen photos. Available both as a gatefold LP as well as a CD with booklet. After gaining fame as Miss Western Nigeria 1957, Julie began her career in the Nigerian entertainment industry as the country’s first ever (and Africa’s second) female television presenter, as well as a popular national radio host. Julie with son Michael Yon-Dakolo, 1980 In 1976, having been surrounded by close musical friends including Fela Kuti and Kris Okotie, Julie entered the Nigerian music scene with the now-invisible psychedelic highlife album ‘Ere Yon (Sweet Songs)’, followed in 1981 by the highly sought-after disco-centric ‘Tomorrow’ to great acclaim. Both now fetch eye-watering prices on the rare occasion that they become available for sale. Julie with traditional hairstyle Julie with special guest Mohammed Ali, at a charity dinner celebrating Nigeria’s independence, 1979 Julie with socialite photographer Cornelius Oyamede, 1980 Julie with driver Azeez Julie on the set of WNTV with chief cameraman Lateef Olayinka, 1961 Julie at the 40th birthday party of Kofo Odedina (centre); on the left is Princess Abah Folawiyo Julie at Miss Western Nigeria 1957 with Chief Osula Julie and Minika Minipa Archibong on German TV, 1963 Early studio portrait Here we select four recordings from ‘Ere Yon (Sweet Songs)’ and three from ‘Tomorrow’, all as contemporary-sounding today as they were when first released forty years ago. These include Julie’s ‘Ere Yon’, which was recently re-interpreted by Anderson Paak on his latest album ‘Oxnard’ released on Dr. Dre’s Aftermath imprint, and the lost Afro disco classic ‘Gossiper Scandal Monger’. In partnership with Julie, we now believe the time is right to share her phenomenal story and music with the world once more.