This is the 6th studio LP from London, England, United Kingdom afro-funk band Ibibio Sound Machine comprised of frontwoman Eno Williams, guitarist Alfred Bannerman, percussionist Afla Sackey, drummer Joseph Amoako, bassist Philip Ambrose, trombonist/keyboardist Tony Hayden, trumpeter/keyboardist Scott Baylis & saxophonist/keyboardist Max Grunhard. Introducing themselves a decade ago on the eponymous debut, they would show some growth on the sophomore effort Uyai & Doko Mien was merely ok. Electricity couple years ago on the contrary surpassed Uyai as the band’s crowning achievement in their discography, coming off Pull the Rope to outdo themselves with Chopping Mountain.

“Burning in Lagos” kicks things off with this 7 minute intro singing about her head being filled with circles of sleeping whereas the title track goes for a synth funk vibe to emerge from the surface after being reborn underwater like a phoenix rising. “When You Want to Dance” sings about having to synchronize if one wants to get down on the dance floors & after the 2nd single “Concept of Love” treads the synth funk waters again ponders how others interpret affection, the lead single “Return to Sender” recalls a car accident Eno was involved in.

We have Dele Sosimi appearing on “Give Me Peace” singing about being granted freedom over laid-back instrumentation to open up the 2nd half while “Menso” embraces some makossa vibes asking in Ibibio what’s wrong using a call-&-response delivery. “Love” pleads if Eno & her partner can try being 1 over a funky beat but once “Kukuru” embraces a more tropical sound to sing about accumulation, the closing track “River Don’t Rush” ends the album wondering why people worry over things they can’t control.

Chopping Mountain could likely be the weakest entry in Ibibio Sound Machine’s discography since Doko Mien considering I enjoyed it less than Pull the Rope although I’m confident of them having the capability of making something that’ll stand the test of time like Electricity. The electro, Afro-funk, synth funk & Afrobeat production along with the prevalent themes of love, unity & resistance that’ve always defined the band remain unbothered despite there being some points where Eno Williams’ vocals don’t do much.

Score: 3/5

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