K. Gyasi - Yako Aba - Bonus track

I came across this tune in a compilation titled Beats for a Continent someone sent me a few years back. I think they used to include these CD's in the package if you won an LP on ebay. Anyway, I really like the song, but am not sure if it a K. Gyasi song. The notes say its a track called Yako Aba, but its sounds too funky and modern for a Gyasi tune. See what you think and let me know if you recognize the tune.

Thanks for listening

Danny-K and his young stars of Nigeria

For the next selection of the highlife turntable I have selected the track Ubulu Jaja by Danny K and his young stars of nigeria. One could argue the modern sound for Ndokwa music may have started in the early 70's with the work done by Charles Iwebgue and then King Ubulu. Once these 2 giants had passed the sound was carried on by people like Rogana Ottah. This song appears to be a praise song dedicated to King Ubulu.

Danny K was born in 1950 in Obiaruku in the Bendal State. He appears to have played with a number of interesting bands. According to the liner notes:

In 1969, Danny K joined Chief King Kenitone where he served as a member of the band in Warri where he stayed for 5 years. King Kenitone and the band left Warri for benin City in 1974. They stayed in Benin City for three years up to 1977. King Kenitone left Benin-City with the band members in 1977 for Lagos where he stayed for 3 years until 1980.

Danny-K left the band and Lagos for ghana and there he joined another band The Black Sentyergos Dance Band. He stayed until 1982. He then returned to Nigeria and joined another band led by Muchacha ( they might be referring to Muchacha Imuzor). He stayed till 1983. In the year 1984, he joined the Original Brothers Dance band. He stayed there for 1 year. In 1985, Danny-K played his first LP entitled Ogembiako - Uwam. The LP was backed by the Harmony Kings International Dance Band (possibly led by Franco Lee Ezute). In 1986, he then joined another band led by Rogana Ottah. In 1987 he recorded his second LP entitled Ebele Uma Uwa. It was backed by Rogana and his dance band. Danny-K then joined Ubulu International Dance Band of Nigeria where he played until the end of 1987 before he formed his own band.

The song itself has some decent parts. The phrasing of the vocals are certainly reminiscent of King Ubulu and you can hear the influences of Rogana Ottah and Franco Lee in the guitar playing. This coupled with a super tight conga and drum back beat make it a good example of what well played ndokwa highlife sounded in the mid to late 80's. The song is also the one where I found my online african name: ubulujaja. I think I chose this monikor because this style of music was a gateway for me to serious african music and using the name helps me remember where the journey really started.

I hope you like it.



ubulujaja

The Youngsters Band

For the next selection I have chosen a medley of songs by The Youngsters Band off their ride away release Akwadaa Wesewa. A ghanaian band led by K. Edusei, who started out in the Opong's Guitar band, he is joined by Twene (alto singer) and J.K. Obiri (lead guitarist) to form the trio. Based at the Old Tafo in Kumasi they issued this release to much acclaim in 1973. The songs are Kwabena Asamoah, Obaa Yaa, Saa Na Etee, and Yede Meho Ahyi

Between the pitch of the vocals and rhythms of the guitars you have a super example of the raw energy the music was capable of during the early 70's. Pulsating and urgent, there are so many tight spots in this set, I will not even try to describe what to listen for. I hope you enjoy it.