K. Bentum

I do not have much information about this perfomer, but the song Tow Nkotow is off the LP Abusua Nyama recorded at the Ghana Film Studios and released on the Sole label in 1980. Kwasi Bentum is listed as the leader, composer, arranger and lead vocals and the style of highlife is called nzema highlife.

It has the same spacey feel as some of the other tracks I have posted here, but the way the vocals play out in the tune stands out for me. The vocals really begin to take over about mid way through the track and the last part with the guitar playing is beautiful.

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F. Kenya

F. Kenya was born in the Ghanaian town of Asima in the Eastern Nzema District. Trained as a goldsmith, he started singing in the mid 60’s with the Ahamanos band and later joined Kaikaiku’s No. 1 band before going out his own in the late 70’s. He was one of the first popular singers to sing in his native Nzema language and the energy in his vocals and performances made him very popular in Ghana and neighboring Ivory Coast. A few F. Kenya tracks have appeared in the Gun and Guitar compilations Vol 1 and 2 put out by John Booker, but nothing else has been available in the West. F. Kenya moved to the Ivory Coast in the early 80’s and did a number of LP’s, including this one. The track is called en sejames (dans sikipe). I like this track because the frenetic energy of the music and the raucous call and response structure of the song really showcases F. Kenya's amazing vocals. The song really starts to cook after the 4.17 mark when F. Kenya starts shouting about Life.

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Fax Clark

Fax Clark, 1925-1997, was a trumpeter from the Ivory Coast. Born in Taboo (South-West - Ivory Coast) he was heavily influenced by Louis Armstrong. I've seen 2 45's and a compilation with his work on it and I have somewhere in the back off my mind that he was associated with Manu Dibango in the 70's and may have owned a nightclub in the Ivory Coast.

The song is called Findjougou and is off a 45 I bought on ebay. The vocals are very reminiscent of Louis Armstrong. I like the growling call and response of the lyrics and the sparse jazz instrumentation, especially Clark's thready trumpet work towards the end of the song.

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The afrisson website has some more information.

http://www.afrisson.com/Fax-Clark-510.html?lang=en

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