Ghana Special: Highlife, Afro Sounds & Ghanaian Blues 1968-81 VINYL AFRO-POP

$

40

NO SHRINKWRAP BUT AS NEW
Track Listing
DISC 1:
1. Kai Wawa - Mercury Dance Band
2. Owuo Adaadaa Me - T.O. Jazz
3. Din Ya Sugri - Christy Azuma & Uppers International
4. Ohiani Sua Efir - Asaase Ase
5. Hwehwe Mu Yi Mpena - The Cutlass Dance Band
6. Sei Nazo - Dr. K. Gyasi & His Noble Kings
7. Edinya Benya - Hedzoleh Soundz
8. Nya Asem Hwe - City Boys Band
9. Bofoo Beye Abowa Den - St. Peter & the Holymen

DISC 2:
1. Obi Agye Me Dofo - Vis-A-Vis
2. Mi Nsumoo Bo Donn - Big Beats
3. Aaya Lolo - The Barbecues
4. I Go Die For You - Kyeremateng Atwede & His Kyeremateng Stars
5. Twer Nyame [Excerpt] - Ebo Taylor
6. Odo Mmera - Pa Steele's African Brothers
7. You Monopolise Me - The Ogyatanaa Show Band

DISC 3:
1. Wompe Masem - The African Brothers International Band
2. Akoko Ba - Super Complex Sounds/Gyedu-Blay Ambolley & His Creations
3. Akampanye - The Sweet Talks
4. Enuanom Adofo - Houghas Sorowonko
5. Bukom - Oscar Sulley's Nezele Soundz
6. You Can Go - Bokoor Band
7. Kyenkyen Bi Adu M'awu - K. Frimpong & His Cubano Fiestas
8. Dr. Solutsu - Basa Basa Soundz - (featuring Fela Ransome Kuti)

DISC 4:
1. Omusus Da Fe M'musu - Hedzoleh Soundz
2. Boombaya - Boombaya
3. Noble Kings (Yako Aba) - Dr. K. Gyasi & His Noble Kings
4. Bindiga - The Wellis Band
5. Tamale - Pagadeja
6. Yahyia Mu - Uhuru Dance Band
7. Them Go Talk of You - The Cutlass Dance Band
8. Sisi Mbon - Honny & the Bees Band

DISC 5:
1. Owuo - Sawaaba Soundz
2. Psychedelic Woman - Honny & the Bees Band
3. Nite Safarie - The Black Star Sound
4. Osaman Ba - T.O. Jazz
5. Cry Laughter - Joe Mensah

Details Playing Time: 174 min. Contributing Artists: Fela Ransome Kuti Distributor: Forced Exposure Dist. Recording Type: Studio Recording Mode: Stereo SPAR Code: n/a
Album Notes
The U.K. label Soundway Records has vaulted itself to the head of the pack within the narrow field of African anthologies. They specialize in hard '60s and '70s funk, disco, and rock from West Africa, as heard on their Nigeria Special series as well as the earlier AFRO BABY and GHANA SOUNDZ sets, not to mention a disc devoted to the best-of Nigerian singer-guitarist Sir Victor Uwaifo. This volume, a two-CD set of funk and rock from Ghana all recorded between the late '60s and early '80s, is a churning sea of polyrhythms, chanted vocals, thick, distorted organ sounds, blaring horns, and scorching guitar that are equal parts James Brown and No Wave. A few songs ("Them Go Talk Of You," "I Go Die for You," "You Monopolize Me," "You Can Go") are sung in English, but most of the others will be incomprehensible to a U.S. listener -- and it won't matter one bit, because the rhythms and melodies are so overpowering and forceful that the music functions as pure limbic imperative.

The U.K. label Soundway Records has vaulted itself to the head of the pack within the narrow field of African anthologies. They specialize in hard '60s and '70s funk, disco, and rock from West Africa, as heard on their Nigeria Special series as well as the earlier AFRO BABY and GHANA SOUNDZ sets, not to mention a disc devoted to the best-of Nigerian singer-guitarist Sir Victor Uwaifo. This volume, a two-CD set of funk and rock from Ghana all recorded between the late '60s and early '80s, is a churning sea of polyrhythms, chanted vocals, thick, distorted organ sounds, blaring horns, and scorching guitar that are equal parts James Brown and No Wave. A few songs ("Them Go Talk Of You," "I Go Die for You," "You Monopolize Me," "You Can Go") are sung in English, but most of the others will be incomprehensible to a U.S. listener -- and it won't matter one bit, because the rhythms and melodies are so overpowering and forceful that the music functions as pure limbic imperative.The U.K. label Soundway Records has vaulted itself to the head of the pack within the narrow field of African anthologies. They specialize in hard '60s and '70s funk, disco, and rock from West Africa, as heard on their Nigeria Special series as well as the earlier Afro Baby and Ghana Soundz sets, not to mention a disc devoted to the best-of Nigerian singer-guitarist Sir Victor Uwaifo. This latest volume, a two-CD set of funk and rock from Ghana all recorded between the late '60s and early '80s, is a churning sea of polyrhythms, chanted vocals, thick, distorted organ sounds, blaring horns, and scorching guitar that are equal parts James Brown and No Wave. Indeed, there are tracks here that sound like an African take on the jagged N.Y.C. funk of the Contortions, while others adapt the innovations of legendary Nigerian bandleader Fela Kuti (who appears as a guest on one track). Of course, it's not all raucous shouting and distorted blare; there are some extraordinarily skillful jazz-funk records here, like the Sweet Talks' "Akampanye," with a stinging trumpet solo, or the jazz flute (and beautifully clear, bell-like vocals) of Christy Azuma & Uppers International's "Din Ya Sungri." A few songs ("Them Go Talk Of You," "I Go Die for You," "You Monopolize Me," "You Can Go") are sung in English, but most of the others will be incomprehensible to a U.S. listener -- and it won't matter one bit, because the rhythms and melodies are so overpowering and forceful that the music functions as pure limbic imperative. If your ass isn't shaking when this stuff is on, seek medical attention. ~ Phil Freeman