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DVDfever.co.uk – Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Ghanaian Blues 1968-1981: Various Artists CD reviewElly Roberts reviews
Afro-Sounds & Ghanaian Blues 1968-1981: Various Artists
Soundway Records
- Released: November 2009
- Rating: 10/10
- Tracks: 33 includes Kai Wawa, Aaya Lolo, Sei Nazo, I Go Die For You, Odo Mmera, Akoko Ba, Bukom, Tamale, Bindiga, Sisi Mbon.
- Vote and comment on this album:View Comments
While western ears were following successive music revolutions from pop, psychedelia, rock, prog rock, punk, ska, new wave, and new romanticism between 1968 and 1981,there was a quieter revolution going on – on the western coast of Africa.
Following the fascinating 2008 Nigeria Special, and a decade in the making, Ghana Special unearths a varied selection of music hidden away from western glare.
Skimming – off a brilliant choice of obscure A and B sides, and album cuts of previously un-reissued gems, Soundway, who specialise in African and South American compilations, have come up with a real cracker here.Once again their focus on west African music proves to be a musos delight as it delves into the musical revolution of the 70s where Ghanaian highlife, rock and soul music collide sprouting some of the best music to ever come out of the continent.
This was essentially achieved by label boss Miles Cleret who painstakingly (now think about this) researched, driving around the cities of Accra, Tema, Cape Coast, Takoradi and Kumasi, knocking on musicians doors, visiting ex-distributors, DJs, collectors, manufacturers and shop owners who all assisted in piecing together this fantastic story of genre busting music.To fully understand this evolution, you need to remember that old styles where being bombarded with nuevo sounds and the new hybrids that unfolded, and Soundway provide a snapshot (and not necessarily a definitive one either) of a radical shift in both music and society.
This shift was reflected when the new guitar based band chose to write about class issues, poetic laments, class issues, religious odes and social commentary as opposed to the older template of love songs, up-beat sounds and happy lyrics preferred by the aging big bands of the 50s and 60s. Sadly it would be the last and strongest wave of recordings made, 13 years in all, before a financial crisis and revolution hit the country in the 80s forcing many musicians out of work.If a criticism has to be levelled, its the lack of chronology to help you see the progression over the decades worth of work.
On CD 1 theres a definite James Brown influence on tracks like Christy Azuma & Uppers International funky and poly-rhythmic Din Ya Sugri layered with strident wah wah riffs and snorting horn blasts.This sits neatly next to the richly indigenous and percussive-laden Ohiani Sua Efir and bongo-happy Bofoo Beye Abowa Den.
One of the standout tracks (one of many mono tracks) is the rickety chant directed HweHwe Mu Yi Mpena. Rolling percussion and mellow guitar riffs turn this into a freewheeling and danceable gem.The track that arguably embraces the incoming influences while retaining local flavours is 1981s I Go Die For You (Kyeremateng Atwede) originally on Ambassador Records. Apart from the ultra tight drumming, the sweeping riffs and intricate picks are some of the best guitar workouts youll ever hear, while Vis A Vis play out some Caribbean / Latin swings with brassy textures.
On disc 2, the polyphonic explosion continues with the rasping Wompe Masen (TABIB) which segues into the tightly woven jazz funk of Akoko Ba . One of the better crossover songs, You Can Go, is an electro-folk tinged classic by the Bokoor Band ,who are still recording, while the cacophonous chant-based Boombaya takes on a party groove with extended percussive solos.
The verdict Essential listening.
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Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.