highlifeturntable

United Sound Makers

2011-12-14T21:16:00.000-08:00

For the next selection on the highlife turntable, I have selected the track Ibak Esit by the United Sound makers off their Janco release Odoro Ikot Ikot Expene. A search on the internet says Ikot Expene was a large city known as "raffia city or more simply IK" in the Annang Land, which is in the southern part of eastern Nigeria. The language and phrasing is definitely in the Efik style. Inyang Henshaw is one of the most well known practioners of the style. There is no information about the band, but the guitar playing really stands out for me, especially the way they bend the notes. There are a number of excellent solos. I hope you like it.

Happy Holidays from the highlife cave.

Black Spiders led by Charles Boumada

2011-10-21T22:31:00.000-07:00

For the next selection on the highlife turntable, I have selected the track Oboro chi kele chi ya from the Black Spiders 1979 LP Eluka Alanma released on the Scottie label. The leader of the band was Charles Boumda, who began his music career with the Great Abaraka Guitar band before he became the lead guitarist for the Oriental Brothers International. He is the one in the middle in the blue vest and afro. The liner notes go on to say

In their new album 'Eluka Alanma" they put, accurately, sweet words into sweet sounds that blow the mind.

I like the drum opening at the beginning and the vocals caught my ear, especially the way the lead vocalist De Mummee Ambrosa Amadi stretches out his words during his solos, so I thought I'd share it to see what you think. Let me know if you have any information to add. I hope you enjoy it Style points to the guy at the end for those shoes.

Eddy Okwedy

2011-09-11T20:00:00.000-07:00

For the next selection on the highlife turntable, I have selected the track Iwe Obinwanne off a EMI release Obodo Idu. Eddy Okwedy was an Igbo musician in the 70's. In doing some research, I did find some of his music online. One of his tracks Happy Survival was reissued on the strut release Nigeria 70's, Comb and Razor has a recording of a 45 done on EMI and there are 2 Youtube postings. I also found an article that translated part of his lyrics and found them to be very political and socially conscious. Whatever the meaning I have found his lyrics and delivery to be laid back and very much in the Ukwauni style of the time: urgent with a quality of intimacy that makes you think he is speaking to you. Match this with a danceable beat and you can begin to understand the pull highlife music had on people and why they responded so enthusiastically to the music.

I like this song for beauty of Eddy's singing and there are several excellent horn breaks, one in the first minute and then another extended solo around the 2.00 minute mark. Also check out the guitar run that starts at the 2.50 mark and the laid back drum solo as the songs fades out at the end. I hope you like it.

T.O Jazz Band led by T.O. Ampomah

2011-07-11T21:22:00.000-07:00

For the next selection on the highlife turntable, I have selected the track Maye Mbobo by the T.O. Jazz Band off the Ride Away release Yeno Waa Waa. I've written about T.O. Jazz before. I like this song as it is a solid example of what made his work in the late 70's so great: pitch perfect vocal harmonization backed by a rock solid rhythm section. Check out the beautiful dialogue the vocalists create as they solo and come together through out the song.

Does anyone know what the word Mbobo means? I think it means something like the word sympathy, but I'd be interested to know for sure. About my only compliant is the song isn't long enough. The lead vocalist is a woman named Adjoa Badu. I hope you like it.

The Original Beach Scopions band of Ghana

2011-06-12T17:34:00.000-07:00

For the next selection on the highlife turntable, I have selected the song Esi Nana by the Original Beach Scorpions Band of Ghana. John Collins recorded two of their songs and released them on his Electric Highlife compilation. His liner notes do a good job of detailing the bands chronology. Formed in 1973 by Anthony Scorpion they had an instant hit in the song "Momo Yengye Yeni (Let's Celebrate). It appears the band moved with Anthony Scorpion to Eastern Nigeria in 1977 for seven years and recorded several LP's. The band was reformed in Ghana in 1984 with percussionist Joyce Gilbert. This song is taken from an Awosco and Sons release circa 1979. The record label was based in Port Harcourt with an outpost in Oshogbo.

I really like the song. The song starts with an instrumental section that sets the pace for the vocals which then give away to a really nice guitar solo. This pattern repeats itself through the song and there are many great stretches. Check out the extended guitar solo starting at the 1.54 mark, the vocals at 4.37 and 7.30 mark, the intricate guitar lines around the 8 minute mark and the energy of the final vocal burst. All first class stuff. I hope you like it.

T.O. Jazz International band of Ghana

2011-04-26T18:09:00.000-07:00

For the next selection on the highlife turntable, I have selected the song Fakyeno by the Dr. T.O. Jazz International band of Ghana off a Chris Robins Records Ltd release Welcome Ojukwu. T.O. Jazz is one of the musical institutions in Ghanaian music. He spent time in Zaire playing with bands like O.K. Jazz and African Fiesta. He returned to Ghana where he recorded several great LP's in the 70's and early 80's. Soundways has reissued one of the more important songs Owuo Adaadaa Me in their recent Ghana Special box set. It was the first song to earn a Ghanaian band a Golden Disc award from Phonogram Ltd.

The LP is dedicated to the former head of state of Biafra, Mr. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and commemorated his return from exile in 1982.

The song has lots of nice touches. Check out the rhythmic intricacies in the stripped down guitar lines, the impeccable percussion playing and the fluid rootsy vocals. I especially like the way one of the vocalist accompanies the lead singer with 3 slow languid low shouts starting around the 4.30 mark. I am not sure who it is, but Isaac Yeboah, Para Yaw, and Johnson Koh Djan are listed as the vocalists. I hope you like it.

Kyeremateng Atwedee Stars

2011-02-23T20:09:00.000-08:00

For the next selection on the highlife turntable, I have selected the track Dodoo Atu Agyina by the Kyeremateng Atwedee Stars off their Obuoba release Hwe Dee Akosie. Kwasi Kyeremateng was 25 when this LP was released and was from Atwedee, which is about 10 miles from konongo.

The lead vocalist for the song is Believer Moore and Kyeremateng-Atwedee is listed as the composer and arranger. The song is sung in Akan. The rhythm of the vocals and guitar playing are especially nice. Check out the a cappella vocals in the beginning of the song and the guitar solo at the 3.45 mark. Classic laid back stuff.

I hope you like it

KitaWonsa led by Otehere-Darko

2011-01-25T18:04:00.000-08:00

For the next selection on the highlife turntable, I have selected the track Monye No BreBre by the band Kitawonsa led by Otehere-Darko. It is an Akan highlife recorded by Phillips in 1974. I could not find anything about the band, but the word Kitawonsa means Restrain your hand. The exuberant vocal interplay between the three vocalists really make the song stand out. Super stuff. The 45 lists the three vocalists as E.O. Darko, K. Affram, and K. Okai. See what you think

Fax Clark Redux

2010-12-31T20:07:00.001-08:00

I reposted the fax clark music on my Feb 2010 posting.

International brothers led by Isaac Rogana Ottah

2010-12-20T20:45:00.000-08:00

For the next selection on the highlife turntable, I have selected the track Anyi Bu Ndegwu from the International Brothers led by Rogana Ottah LP on the EMI label. I first saw this LP about 6 years ago when I heard it when I was visiting Chris Meserve in NY. I was never able to record the record, but I finally got a copy.

The International Brothers were a loose confederation of top Ukwauni musicians and they did a series of very well regarded LP, usually featuring a guest vocalist like Bob Fred or Steady Arobby.

This release features the great Rogana Ottah. Rogana Ottah has always been a personal favorite of mine. He's recorded 31 LP's, and I have 25 recordings, and by and large all of them are very good. I love the rawness and energy of the vocals and the guitar lines are impeccable. It reminded me of what I really liked about Rogana Ottah's singing and the simplicity and beauty behind a well played Ukwauni bass line. See what you think.

John Beadle has more information about Rogana Ottah at http://biochem.chem.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~endo/EAOttah.html

Isaac Yeboah - Kuul Vis a Vis

2010-12-13T21:57:00.000-08:00

For the next selection on the highlife turntable, I have chosen the track Nte Nsere by Issac "Superstar" Yeboah off a 1980 Kawawa Sounds International release called Kuul Vis a Vis Special. The liner notes in the Ghana Box Set, released by Soundways Records, says the band was originally from Kumasi and that Yeboah along with Sammy Cropper and Kung-Fu Kwaku formed the nucleus. The notes go on to say the band was very influential in shaping the sound on some of the great K. Frimpong releases.

Even the cover looks like it been through the wars the music shines through. The languid, rootsy vocals at the beginning gradually give way to some super guitar playing towards the end. Check out the guitars after the 3.30 mark. Beautiful stuff. I hope you like it.

Happy Holidays from the highlife cave

Zacry Noel - Croucrou Zedigba (Mystery solved!)

2010-12-03T01:08:00.000-08:00

One of my listeners solved the mystery and tells me the singer is Zacry Noel, the style digba (typical Bété rythm) and the song title : Croucrou Zedigba, which means big tears.

I have another mystery track I need help identifying. I purchased a white label test pressing off ebay and there was no information on the record except the partial words: echante ours. I've been told it is Ernesto DjeDje. I really like the song: the vocals are punchy, there is some fatty horn work, a few good guitar lines and a blazing drum solo around the 4 minute mark. Can anyone identify the song? Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks

Ubulujaja

Nyame Bekyere led by Seaboy J.N. Ebroni

2010-10-23T15:40:00.000-07:00

For the next selection on the highlife turntable I have chosen 2 tracks, Nyamenke aziama and Kekerenikreni, by the Nyame Bekyere Band led by Seaboy J.N. Ebroni. The Nyamenke Aziama is off an Essiebon release and the Kekerenikreni tracks is an excerpt of a medley on a Ride Way record release.

I noticed Hippo Records recently included a song by this band in their Ghana Funk release and I though I'd share some of the tracks I liked from the LP's I have been able to collect. Hopefully, their CD has some information about the perfomers as their are no liner notes on the three LP's I have and their was precious little on the internet. There was one reference to an "ace actor" Seaboy J.N. Ebroni and the fact the perfomer Safohene Djeni was a member of the band at some point. I started looking for his music when I heard a track on the Beats for a new continent CD someone sent me. The Nyamenke Aziama song is slower than the Kekerenikreni number, but both songs showcase the vocals and the rhythms in really beautiful ways.

I hope you like the music

Ubulujaja

Akwasi Yeboah's band

2010-10-09T11:41:00.001-07:00

For the next selection on the highlifeturntable I have chosen the track Eno Ato Adwo by the Akwasi Yeboah's band off a Brobisco release Akwasi Yeboah's Special. I could not find a lot of information about this performer, but I noticed Paa Bobo and Atakora Manu are listed on the record sleeve of another LP I have by him and there is a reference to the Old Tafo (which I believe was a club or hotel in Kumasi) on the internet. I like the song because the drum work is more upfront then usual and the guitar work has a quirky beat that provides a nice pace for the spacey vocals. There is some really nice guitar work around the 3.10 mark. I hope you like it.

K. Gyasi - Yako Aba - Bonus track

2010-09-22T20:38:00.001-07:00

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

2010-09-22T18:45:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-03T19:18:00.000-07:00

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.

Captain Newman's Gay Brothers

2010-08-31T00:36:00.001-07:00

For the next selection on the highlife turntable I have selected the track Owu Aye Me Bone by Captain Newman's Gay Brothers. I came across my first Captain Newman Gay Brothers LP by accident when a cover did not match the record, but I liked the sound and started to collect everything I could find. It was hard to learn anything concrete about the band until I came across this Polydor release Adakam. Captain Newman was a vocalist for the African Brothers and then joined Adu Kwesi (who is the gentleman on the left in the picture) and Oscar Tawia to form the nucleus of the Gay Brother's band.

The liner notes go onto say That: In this album an attempt has been made to cross the rhythm on the Preprensua or Ashewa Box as played by Uncle Awotwi with the bass guitar featuring guest performer Eddie Donkor Snr. The resultant of this experiment is that much room is created for the bass guitarist to manoeuver and this is amply demonstrated on both sides of this album. And with a touch of lead guitar work by S.K. Oppong the exercise I would say is complete.

I appreciate the patience of the Ghanaian music lover who follow this blog. I know it has been a while since I posted a Ghanaian track, but I hope this tune makes up for the delay.

Thanks for listening.

Joe Ekele and his superstars

2010-08-29T21:40:00.000-07:00

For the next selection on the highlife turntable I have chosen the track Uwa Na Ekwu Ka by Joe Ekele and His superstars off their 1979 Namaco release Madu Ka Eji Aka. I do not have any information about Mr. Ekele and the liner notes don't list any of the musicians, but I like the song. The spacey guitar lines and great muted horn solos, especially in the beginning, really exemplifies the changes the highlife idiom had undergone in the 70's. Instead of a big band approach, Mr. Ekele has reworked the amplified sound of the horn and guitar sections into a more open down tempo rhythm, that also features some super drum breaks, which all play nicely against Mr. Ekele's languid vocals. Checkout the beautiful horn playing at the beginning and the real nice horn and guitar work that starts at the 6.30 mark. Solid stuff. I hope you like it.

Patrick Ojo and his International Brothers Band

2010-08-23T19:28:00.000-07:00

For the next selection on the highlife turntable I have chosen a track by Patrick Ojo and his International Brothers Band titled Ebe Ukpenwu. The track is off an Ogugwa records release and is a Ukwauni song that features the guitar playing of the great guitarists Bob Fred and Franco Lee. It is a laid back tracks that features some beautiful guitar solos and the stripped down vocals help carry the haunting melody. There is no date, but judging from the pictures I would put it in the early 80's. I hope you like it.

Chief John Okpor

2010-06-29T21:36:00.000-07:00

For this selection of the highlife turntable I have chosen a track, Achuka Onye, by Chief John Okpor. A later Ukwauni highlife musician he played with a band called the Golden Tones and had the same straight ahead style as other ndowka perfomers like Bob Fred and king Ubulu. Its hard to really tell who is more of a direct more of an influence as the punchiness of the vocals reminds one of some of the vocal of King Ubulu, but the guitar playing and percussion are very much in line with Bob Fred's playing. Okpor appears to have deep roots in the Ukwauni musical community as one of his earliest records on the Yiobs label came out in 1976 and I have one LP of his that came out in 1992. Okpor thanks Bob Fred and Tony Otu in the liner notes for their support and he did an LP on Franco Lee Ezute label. His records also appear on such rare indigenous labels as Franco, Aplow, URGood and Yiobs.

The song is from an LP Odogo Nmgboto put out on the URGood label, possibly some time in the early 80's. The song is a laid back affair. I like the vocals, especially around the 6 1/2 minute mark, and there are a number of nice guitar licks and drum breaks. I hope you like it.

Mmadu Osa International Band

2010-06-04T17:34:00.000-07:00

For the next song on the highlife turntable I have selected a track by the Mmadu Osa International band titled Ndu Osa. Led by Ikechukwu Izuegbu (alias the spokesman), he was a "lyrical philosopher" credited with "speaking the minds of many" on this Izuson label release circa 1985. I do not know much about Ikechukwu, but he appears to have spent several years apart from his family living in places like Ibadan, Kano, Lagos and Makurdi while they stayed in Ogwashi. This LP appears to be a dedication to his family and a thanks to God as it was released 1 year after they were reunited.

This is a deeply spiritual band. The songs are described as commentaries and they reflect on the strength that one can gain by being faithful and loyal to a family, a people and a God. The words Mmadu Osa translate roughly into the phrase: Let goodness exist God. The song I have selected is Ndu Osa and translates into the phrase: Life God.

Its a wonderful song that runs over 18 minutes and includes Ikechukwu's haunting vocals backed by a first rate band. Check out the way the horns follows and leads the vocalist through the song and the super conga and drum breaks. There is also a great guitar solo around the 15.30 minute mark. One of my desert island tracks. I hope you like it.

King Yeboah

2010-05-25T23:51:00.000-07:00

I don't have much information on King Yeboah, but this song off his 1979 Onipa Nye release is first rate. It is an easy going song that stretches out over 8 minutes, but the downtempo pacing of the guitar playing and the pitch of the vocals really stand out for me. Check out the extended guitar solo around the 5 minute mark. I hope you like it.

Ubulujaja

Lord Adusa

2010-05-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

In his book Highlife Music in West Africa Sonny Oti makes the observation that highlife musicians in the late 70's were able to transcend their entertainment band roots and produce music where they became the modern equivalent of African town crier whose "song texts are communal messages, warnings and counselling". The lyrics of big band highlife gave way to longer tracks that dealt with social and political problems and sought to give voice to what people in Nigeria were experiencing and offer some reassurance and solace to a population dislocated by war and an increasing chaotic economic situation. I think this selection by Lord Adusa off his LP Mabena Otu on the Ojikutu label is a beautiful example of the impact this change had on the intimacy and immediacy of highlife music. Backed by the young stars band of the River state, the song opens with a plaintive bass guitar and organ driven melody which provides a reflective, almost melancholy, lead in for the vocals. I am not sure what the song is about but check out how the urgency in the song changes when Lord Adusa really begins singing around the 2 minute mark and the wonderful alto sax work after the 7 minute mark. I hope you like it.

Ubulujaja

Eddy Okonta

2010-05-13T21:03:00.001-07:00

I thought I'd switch gears for the next selection of the highlife turntable and start playing some Nigerian music. Eddy Okonta is one of my favorite 60's highlife trumpeters. Nicknamed the Obi of the trumpet his music has an exuberance that personified the best of the 60's dance band highlife style. I've listed 2 web sites that provide a lot of information about Okonta's career and importance in the highlife scene.

http://samakamusic.blogspot.com/2009/04/remembering-eddy-okonta-obi-of-trumpet.html
http://www.bensonidonije.org/highlife/Eddy,%20the%20trumpet%20major.pdf

The tune I have selected Otanjele (Sweet Banana) is off a 1981 phonodisk release and is a playful exposition that begins with a steady instrumental opening that lays down the melody and opens up into a more raucous call and response before finally exploding into a full blown highlife rant complete with frenetic horn blasts and exuberant choruses of Sweet Banana. I think the song itself is a reworking of a West African standard, but Okonta imbues the lyrics with just enough licentious charm to transform the song into a joyous romp that probably drove the crowds at the old Central Hotel Yaba wild. See what you think.

Ubulujaja

Baffour Kyei - Su nkwa

2010-03-22T12:56:00.000-07:00

The song Su nkwa is one of my favorite Ghanaian standards. Meaning "cry for life" in the twi language, the meditative vocals in the song have always appealed to me as they have an emotional urgency that is open and spacey. I find it captivating and have always looked for versions of the song.

The first version that knocked me out was by Atakora Manu on a sterns release. This version is by song writer and vocalist Baffour Kyei, who was born in Kumasi or Banso in the Ashanti region of Ghana in 1947. He started out his career with the Ashanti Police Band and then formed the Great Africans Band where he had his first singles Phelomina and Awadee Tese Ahwehwe. He also wrote the popular song Adjoa Abene and became known as "Mr. Adjoa Abene". He also performed with B.B. Collins and the Powerful Believers, Atakora Manu, and the Kyeremateng Stars. At some point, Baffour Kyei moved to England and did a number of releases. The vocals start to soar right away and play off beautifully with the horn playing by Brother Quashie. The great Eric Agyeman is on the lead and rhythm guitar. I hope you like the song.

K. Bentum

2010-02-27T17:27:00.001-08:00

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.

See what you think

F. Kenya

2010-02-07T18:53:00.000-08:00

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.

See what you think.
http://www.adrive.com/public/86bf4b84c554f7f7230d9b86a03d83c8ca550d930e265f695c117ea3b84fb8a1.html

Fax Clark

2010-02-02T21:06:00.000-08:00

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

See what you think.

Sonny Oti - Highlife Music in West Africa

2010-01-26T13:30:00.000-08:00

I found this super book about highlife on Amazon that came out in 2009. It has a number of interviews with important highlife performers and discusses the evolution of highlife music from a format where musicians were mere entertainers and nerve therapists to one where they became African town-criers whose song-texts became a reflection of communal messages, warnings and counselling. Very highly recommended.

http://www.amazon.com/Highlife-Music-West-Africa-Sonny/dp/978842208X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264541252&sr=1-2

atta frimpong

2010-01-25T21:21:00.000-08:00

For my first selection I have chosen a song by atta frimpong and his top stars called odo mu nkaebo off a tinpoum release. The release has a number of famous ghanaian stars including such heavy hitters as: eric agyeman on guitar, nana tuffour on organ, tommy king on first trumpet, and recording supervision provided by atakora manu. Its got a classic mid 70's spacey ghanaian pop feel.

http://www.adrive.com/public/58d8c5d8c8dbc718c89636d0d75ef017896a55f4d8f25dd7edaac4c89375a168.html

See what you think and welcome to the highlife turntable.