St. Augustine (again)

I've posted tracks of St. Augustine and his Rovers before, but i'm sure you won't mind. This is a particularly heavy number, almost psychedelic: St Augustine's hommage to this other famous bandleader/trumpetplayer: Charles Iwegbue.

SARB-TTCI

Hi Again!
No, this blog is not dead, it has just been resting a while..
But now it's back, with a fantastic piece of Highlife.
Yamoah's Band was one of the first bands that made me realize that there was so much more to highlife than i had imagined. It was just love at first sight (hearing?).
Anyway, i just recently picked up this album, and i think that makes my collection complete, as far as Yamoah is concerned. Ok, just 5 albums in all, but every track a winner.
To celebrate this milestone, the title track of Efunu Di Fo.
(I know, you can buy it on cd, but i think this version sounds a lot better)

Yamoah's Band - Efunu Di Fo

Happy Boys

Every time this track comes along in my shuffle play, i say to myself: this is really different. It has a kind of garage-band feel to it, kinda rough and low budget. You can tell by the cover too: real basic. But nice, nevertheless.
(Water proof is Okukuseku's Koffi Samy's long time buddy)

Happy Boys Band - Samanfo
(comments welcome)

Chis Ibekwe

I guess it's time for some Nigerian Highlife again.
Chris Ibekwe was brought to my attention by another Highlife fan, who sent me some mp3's, taken from a Nigerian cd. I liked the music but the sound quality was not very good, but luckily i could get my hands on a vinyl copy. Couldn't find any background information, just references to the same soundfiles everywhere.
So here is the Ikoro Kings Special:
Ikoro Kings Special


P.s. I'll renew the Unbeatable Abiriwa link.

Elvis Yeboah and his Justice 7 band

And once again a nice Highlife tune for you to enjoy. Laidback guitar, plaintive voices, a cheesy organ and subtle percussion in the background: just the perfect highlife song. Too bad i don't speak twi, because it's just the kind of song to singalong. Ok, a bit of humming is probably a better idea.

Elvis Yeboah - Engu Manim Ase

F. Kenya

John Collins just informed me that the Ghanaian musician Francis Kenya died last week. He was a great artist with a distinctive style and a unique voice. To honor him, the title track of his 1978 album Ngakula Ngakula:


F. Kenya - Ngakula Ngakula


(i have updated the older links, for those who have just recently tuned in)

Famous Blue Diamonds

Actually, i had never heard of them before, and i have never seen another album since by The Famous Blue Diamonds. But of course, not being Ghanaian myself, that does not mean much.
No information whatsoever on the record-sleeve, not even the customary 'Led By'. So here's some nice highlife, nothing spectacular, but just the way i like it.
I'm sure you will too.


Famous Blue Diamonds Band - Ma eye me seesee

Akwaboa's first

Akwaboa proudly presents: Akwaboa's first album. As you could have guessed by my nickname, i'm a huge fan of 'Master' Bob Akwaboa.
Kwabena Akwaboa started in the sixties, learning the trade from the famous highlife pioneer Kwaa Mensah. He joined the K. Gyasi Band, and in 1963 started his own Akwaboah's Guitar band.



According to the cover notes, this was his first LP album. Here's the first track.

Ena Ne Agya Awu