Highlife Haven

Akwaboa's first

2012-01-21T04:54:00.000-08:00

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

BB Collins Marfo

2011-08-21T10:42:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile, but here's another nice highlife tune for you to enjoy. BB Collins Marfo and his Powerful Believers, including Sammy Cropper and Baffour Kyei.
An inspired piece of work, if you ask me.
(and they take their time)
I'm sure this makes up for my long absence.

B.B. Collins and the Powerful Believers - Anoma Antu A

I Have My Liberty, Ghanaian gospel

2011-05-30T13:11:00.000-07:00

A reader asked me to tell you about his project involving Ghanaian gospel.
And of course, Highlife and Ghanaian Gospel share common roots, so just let me quote from his message:
" I’m writing to share my recently completed project, I Have My Liberty! Gospel Sounds from Accra, Ghana. It's an album of songs, performances, and sounds recorded live from the churches of Ghana’s capital city. Captured in the fall of 2008, these recordings act as a sonic tour through the ubiquitous but under-documented churches of urban Accra."

Here are a few links to the project:
- Listen to the album in its entirety at: ihavemyliberty.bandcamp.com
- Read the I Have My Liberty! blog at: ihavemyliberty.tumblr.com
- Download and share select songs at: soundcloud.com/ihavemyliberty

This brings back memories of my visit to a Ghanaian Highlife mass. Not being religious myself, i can say it was a very impressive event.
P.S. Don't miss my previous May-post!

St. Michael

2011-05-30T12:50:00.000-07:00

It appears that Augustine was not the only saint with a musical career: here's St. Michael And His Oboshi International. I have no information whatsoever about this band, so if anybody has, please step up.
'Oboshi' is probably the town Obosi in Anambra State. Anyway, i just like the eccentric music, i'm sure you will enjoy it too.

St. Michael And His Oboshi International - Chukwu-di

Richard Ugiagbe

2011-03-30T02:22:00.001-07:00

One of the fascinating features in African music is that each ethnic group has it's own musical preferences. This is very much true of Nigerian Highlife: even if you don't understand the language, you can hear the difference between Ibo and Niger-delta highlife. The most eccentric form of highlife is for me Edo (or Bini) highlife. Of course, it's most famous representative Victor Uwaifo is very much a mainstream musician, but listen to this Ricard Ugiagbe recording: really something else.
When i first heard it, i was really confused: where is this music going? But like all good music, it gets under your skin and stays there.
And it's a peculiar language too: what about a track called 'Vbenogawemwinghaye'?

Richard Ugiagbe - Ihomwan

Opambuo Internationals

2011-02-27T09:09:00.000-08:00

In reaction to my last post, Joseph asked me to upload a track by Opambuo Internationals, used in a YouTube clip. Unfortunately i don't have the track, 'wompe masem', so if anyone can help us... That's the frustration you get by collecting this music: i do have 8 albums, but who knows how many more great music is totally unavailable.
Instead i'll just post another fine song by the 'Man With The Golden Voice', from their first album.
Opambuo Internationals - 07 - Dee abeba mmra

P.s. Thanks to Osibisaba here's the track you were looking for:
Opambuo Internationals - Hu Anim Ase Nkyene

City Boys

2011-01-28T12:15:00.000-08:00

Another great track from one of my favorite bands. Although you first have to get used to the sharp voice of Nana Ampadu's nephew, J.A. Adofo, i'm sure you will agree. This is one of those bands that never let you down: all their albums are good, and some are really great. Instrumentation is subtle, and i especially love the organ. If only i knew what the song is about...Aye...

City Boys - Obi Benya Wo A

Melody Aces - Stars Of West-Africa

2010-12-29T11:51:00.000-08:00

Nothing like a cheerful Highlife track to end the year. And Highlife never was so cheerful as in the early sixties. Just gained independence and everything seemed possible. And the music of that era reflects that optimism: listen to this track by the Melody Aces.

Melody Aces - Emase Puro O

Indomitable White Eagles

2010-11-27T08:51:00.000-08:00

No Brothers this time, but a couple of fierce feathered friends. Actually, they look quite friendly on this cover, thanks to the straw hats. Nice Nigerian Highlife, a bit repetitive, but never boring. Enjoy.

Indomitable White Eagles - Mr. Simeon Yabrifa Special

John Okpor and his Golden Tones

2010-10-13T08:36:00.000-07:00

Judging by the lack of comments to my last post i guess you're ready for something completely different. Ok, it's Highlife, but Nigerian, and a lot more 'modern' than usual. But i find this really a hypnotic track, and have played this album a lot lately. Especially suited for driving, in my opinion, uptempo but relaxing as well.
For more information: check Ubulujaja's Highlife Turntable.

John Okpor And His Golden Tones- Ele Igbameni Utei

S.K. Oppong

2010-09-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

To finish my small series of Neo-traditional Ghanaian artists, here's Samuel Kwesi Oppong's guitar band. Another artist featured on the famous Original Music's "I've Found My Love" compilation. One guitar, some percussion and a couple of voices. Very laid-back Highlife music in the tradition of Kwaa Mensah. Please consult the liner notes for more information.

S. K. Oppong - Manhu Woa Mentumi Nda

K.K. 's

2010-08-03T11:24:00.000-07:00

Here's another neo-traditional band, in the style of E.K Nyame. Not E.K. No1 band, but K.K's No2. Although A.K. Yeboah can't reach as high as Kwabena Okai, he certainly does his best. Hope you like it too.

P.s. Cool cover,not?

KK's no2 band - Mongye Nsa Nom

EK Nyame's Sankofa

2010-06-27T13:05:00.000-07:00

After last months classic, now a track by one of the most important innovators of Highlife, EK Nyame. Always with his lead singer Kobina Okai, he developed a unique style that was very successful and influential. Listen to the typical Ghanaian way of singing harmony, three voices not blending together but each going his own way.
A small warning: this is really an acquired taste and no easy listening!

EK Nyame - Ma Ye Mayee Minni Aye

Ps i love covers with these Ashanti toga's. Next time another one..

Oko's Band

2010-05-30T10:46:00.000-07:00

I only had a couple of very nice singles by Oko's Band, so I was very happy to get hold of this record. According to the sleeve-notes Oko's a real old-timer, and this must be one of the first Ambassador releases. The first track already popped-up in another blog, so i give you the second track: a 'Bushey' with more than a hint of 'El Manisero' in it.

Oko's Band - Owuo Aye Me Bi

More Abiriwa

2010-04-21T03:01:00.000-07:00

Here's a solo album by Dan Orji, of Peacocks fame. I saw my blog referred to as delivering the occasional Highlife gem, and this track certainly fits the bill. Listen to the subtle guitar-work by Tunde Sole!

Dan Orji - Ebere egbulam

Ghanaian Highlife mix

2010-03-06T10:51:00.000-08:00

I like to turn my singles, downloads and the occasional album track into compilation cd's. (yes, i know, that is getting old-fashioned). Even though this is a completely random process, after a while the songs become connected and their combination starts to fit together. This is one of my favorites at the moment, so i thought you might appreciate it also.

Highlife collection 15

Special thanks to Ubulujaja (highlife turntable) for the great F. Kenya track!
(trackname) means i don't know the title, but this is what it sounds like.

Yamoah's Band

2010-02-10T13:08:00.000-08:00

Although his ouvre is small, for me P.K. Yamoah is one of the greatest highlife musicians ever. His musical career started in 1954, and lasted until the mid seventies. Last year, he must be about 75, he was rewarded the Musical Merit Award in Ghana. Luckily some of his work is available on 4 cd's, but i prefer the lp versions. Some tracks on the cd's sound too fast, and are indeed shorter than on the lp's i have.
Anyway, the cd's are still a must have for anyone interested in Ghanaian highlife.
Yamoah's music has a unique sound and rhythm, a loose 'swing' and feeling that is never even imitated.
Listen to Onantefo and you know what i mean. A real classic.

Yamoah's Band - Onantefo

Peoples Star in London (3)

2010-01-01T14:12:00.000-08:00

I couldn't think of a better way to start 2010 than with a track from the King himself, Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe. Ok, the album says Peoples Star, but there's no doubt that it's just Osadebe in disguise. Peoples Star in London vol 1 and 2 are well known, but this comes from another volume: Ofe Di Uzo.
A real suprise!

The Peoples Star - Nkiruka

African Brothers

2009-11-25T00:34:00.000-08:00

This band needs no introduction: The African Brothers were the prototypical Highlife guitar band and model for a whole generation of others. It can't be a coincidence that there are some many 'Brothers' highlife bands around.
Although their later work is not always very inspired, their work in the seventies shows that they were indeed the No1 band.
Here's a fine example: 'Never Mind the Shirt!'

African Brothers - Yere wensa wose shirt
(Read the interesting liner notes: recorded in one hour at 8 o'clock in the morning. No rock-n-roll mentality here)

Highlife Gospel

2009-10-24T03:05:00.000-07:00

There is a very thin line between secular highlife and gospel music in Ghana. Typical highlife bands as the African Brothers, Yamoah's and even AB Crentsil's Sweet Talks recorded a lot of tracks that are definitely religious in nature. And as the popularity of gospel grew in the 1980's, some highlife musicians turned from secular to religious music. As i don't speak the language it is even harder for me to distinguish the two.
But here are 2 examples of highlife-gospel bands: Edward Kwasi Boateng's Band and Love Nortey's Happy Stars.

Happy Stars - Wano nsem pii
Kwasi Boateng's Band - Asem ato me

(Do i hear Kwabena Okai there among the Happy Stars? Unfortunately no cover..)

Agu Risky and de Lovers International Band

2009-09-14T10:31:00.000-07:00

Well, here's a band i'm sure you haven't heard of before (prove me wrong and send me some music..).At first you wonder when this intro is going to end and the song will take off, but gradually you'll begin to appreciate it. I hope you like it too, and if you have any background, just let me know.

Agu Risky - Anango-Ibibifu
Ps. check out the comments!

Real Internationals

2009-07-19T05:01:00.000-07:00

A lot of highlife bands call themselves International, a term that has as little meaning as the also popular use of the 'Brothers' label. But here i have a track of a band who seems to try to really do something across regional and ethnic boundaries: a Kenyan album by the Peacocks (international, of course).
Their hit song 'Sambola mama' in an extended version with an East-African twist.
(Ok, i got carried away, it's just a kenyan pressing...)

Peacocks - Sambola mama
Nb. I hesitated to scan the cover, but even this is better than nothing, and it gives you an indication of the state of the album.

I've found my love (again)

2009-06-18T10:55:00.000-07:00

Some cd's i just play over and over. One of these is the 'I've found my love' compilation on the Original Music label. All OM's are great, but i like this one best: One guitar, some voices and simple percussion, short songs with palm-wine roots.
Anyway, when i heard this album by Akwaboa i was immediately hooked: i've played it on repeat for weeks.
And because it is such a short track, i'll add a Akwaboa single too!
(now who's complaining?)

Akwaboa - Meko gya mediya kwan
Akwaboah's Guitar Band - Maniso tan me

Unbeatable Abiriwa

2009-05-17T02:37:00.000-07:00

One of the first highlife bands i really liked, after Chief Osita Osadebe got me interested in the genre, were the Peacocks. But this was completely different: short songs, no horns, a rootsier sound but definitely more relaxed than the Oriental Brothers. And my appreciation still grows with every new recording i can get my hands on. Here's one of their later albums.

Peacocks - Iwe Ewelam

Another Golden Voice

2009-04-21T11:33:00.000-07:00

Ok, perhaps a bit overstated, but on a couple of songs he refers to himself as 'The Golden Voice'. And indeed i think he is one of Ghana's better singers: Nana Agyeman Opambuo. This is one of the albums he made in Nigeria for the well-known Rogers All Stars: My Darling. Ghanaians in Nigeria often record some tracks in Pidgin, but the best tracks are allways in Twi..
(This is one of those records with heavy duty audio restauration: a 3 minute crack in the record, meaning i had to manually silence 200 heavy clicks...)

Opambuo International Band - Enye mani kan

Goddy (khaki) & the Ambassadors in his Omajiji-ji 70s

2009-03-29T12:36:00.000-07:00

Every now and then you come across a record, and you think Wow, this guy is no beginner, why have i never heard of him before?
And even after searching the net, you still don't know anything about him.
Here is my latest 'discovery': Goddy (khaki) & the Ambassadors in his Omajiji-ji 70s. Fine name for a band, isn't it? A very laid-back type of highlife, with a latin touch.

Igbo cheghara
Ps. Fine cover too! Anybody has information about Goddy Ezike?

King of Anioma Highlife

2009-03-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

I think this artist needs no introduction: Ali Chukwuma. But for further information
This is a track from a 1976 record, and i think it is great! Somehow 1976 has been a real peak year for highlife. No horns, but i promise you you won't miss them..

Ali Chukwuma - Ogeli sili obi
ps: all old links seem to be working (but sometimes you have to be patient)

Keeping the faith

2009-02-11T06:21:00.001-08:00

When in the 1980's highlife modernized and all kinds of electronics were introduced, eventually Highlife turned Hiplife. Not my thing really, but most Ghanaians now see highlife as something from the past. One of the artists who tried to keep the tradition alive was (and is) Eric Agyeman. Starting out as lead-guitarist in K.Gyasi's Noble Kings, he developed a unique kind of mellow guitar-band Highlife with horns, often in long, suite-like tracks.
Here is one of his less known albums.

Mani Agye
(Strange cover, not? Even George Michael wouldn't dare something like this..)

Old School

2009-01-18T10:24:00.000-08:00

Thomas Osei 'T.O.' Ampomah was one of the more traditional Highlife artists. His career started in the 60's and was rooted in palm-wine music, but he travelled to Congo to broaden his musical horizons. To me it's full-blooded highlife, with a real female singer, not a 'treble singer' as extra attraction. Enjoy!

T.O. Jazz - Sea Boy

City Boys

2008-12-29T03:07:00.000-08:00

The City Boys International Band of Ghana is one of those bands that must be popular in Ghana (and Nigeria) itself but who are allmost unknown over here. Probably because of their vocals: this typical sharp Ghanaian sound, not very comfortable in Western ears. The music reminds me of the African Brothers: perhaps no coincidense since the leader of the City boys, Obooba J.A. Adofo 'Black Chinese' is Nana Ampadu's nephew.

City Boys - Me yaree fi mefie

ps: got it in the wrong sleeve, anyone knows the title of the album? (Scodisc Sound SDX9, first track 'Gyae Su')

St. Augustine

2008-12-14T09:46:00.000-08:00

It’s been some time now and you must be wondering if I lost interest. Well, not really, but I have been very busy cleaning some of my albums I thought could be improved by some extra treatment. You won’t believe how much effort I put into physically and electronically cleaning, and you have to believe me when I say that it is sometimes really necessary to get some music back from under all the noise. This track is certainly a good example: it is very damaged with some deep scratches.
(the state of the cover is a good indication)
Anyway, I hope you like the result.
(And if anyone out there has a better version, please contact me…)

St Augustine - Francesca

Strange days

2008-11-12T03:32:00.000-08:00

Here's another little treat: Otarus Brothers. Benjamin Otarus founded his own band in '72, after playing guitar for Rex Lawson and st Augustine. I think it is a really strange sound, with the drummer allowing himself a lot of freedom to play around while the clave keeps the band together.
But after a while, it really grows on you. Judge for yourself:

Otarus Brothers - Eminerume

The Golden Voice sings Gospel

2008-10-26T04:23:00.000-07:00

Pat Thomas was one of Ghana's most popular singers in the seventies and eighties, loved for his smooth crooning voice.
More background here.
Here's one of his later tracks, born-again as Gospel singer. Accompanied by his long-time musical mentor Ebo Taylor, smooth as ever.

Pat Thomas - Gyae Su

Franco (Not le Grand Maitre)

2008-10-19T03:50:00.000-07:00

It is time to even the score a bit between the Ghanaians and the Nigerians, so here's Franco Lee Ezute and his Harmony Kings. No information whatsoever, just some fine music.

Franco Lee Uzute - Osonni

Commercial break

2008-10-16T13:23:00.000-07:00

Highlife not only comes in obscure records, there's obscure cd's too!
By obscure i mean: not available in a regular music (web-) shop, but only specialized Ghanaian music shops. Typical Ghanaian: they like to keep things in their own hands.
I'd like to present a couple of favourites:
First the best of Canadoes International Band

Canadoes - Enowaa ko hene
(what about those tulips! a Dutch-Ghanaian production)
Then Opambuo Internationals

Opambuo - Kai kai

And lastly Yamoah's Band

Yamoah's - Abotare
Four volumes in all, the sound quality is sometimes poor, but the music is allways great!

The real Akwaboa(h)

2008-10-10T13:20:00.000-07:00

Thanks for your kind comments. I'll reward it with another treat: Master Bob Akwaboa and his Supreme Internationals. Beat that!
Ok, he isn't very modest, but i think he has every right to. Listen to this, a relentless repetitive beat with that unique gravely voice. Perhaps not the finest singer, but one of the best voices in Highlife. (Only rivalled by F. Kenya in my opinion). And don't forget the subtle guitar. Enough said:

Akwaboa and his Supreme Internationals - Yede Owuo Ka

(With thanks to Ubulujaja, the supplier of this great track,
not the right cover, but this one's so cool!)

The King Of Hypertension

2008-10-07T12:22:00.000-07:00

Well, after this Ghanaian Highlife, now it's time for a great Nigerian: Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe. He hardly needs an introduction, one of the most prolific Highlife stars ever. Active over more than 40 years, a monument of Highlife. I have allmost 40 albums myself, but I can never grow bored of his music. A lot of his albums are now available on cd, most of quite decent quality. I'll post one of the ones skipped for reasons unknown. Here's a track from '78-2', the track 'Obiajulu' ('the heart is consoled'), also the name of his eldest son.

Osadebe - Obiajulu

Ps. as you can see, I have not been very active lately. But now, being linked to the great 'Worldservice' site, I expect more visitors. Let me know you're out there and leave your comment. All links are repaired.

Kyerematen(g) Stars

2008-06-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

After these classics now something a bit more modern: The Kyeremateng Stars, also sometimes spelled 'Kyerematen'. A definite favourite, but quite unknown. It seems to be a kind of Gospel-Highlife, looking at some of the covers and song titles (and in the second track you even get a sermon like interlude by Kyeremateng Atwede himself). Anyway, I like them mostly for their uptempo songs, their plaintive voices and the playful organ.
Judge for yourself, ignore the terrible cover (In African music there seems to be an inverse relationship between the quality of the music and the cover..)

Kyeremateng Stars - Ketewa Biasa Nsua
Kyeremateng Stars - Obi Reba A Mane Me

Decca West-Africa classics

2008-06-21T04:30:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been some time now, i've been a bit lazy. But thats all gone change now, i'll try to get at least one message / track a week done. And i have collected some real gems lately, so that should not be a problem.
First another African Brothers track, this time belonging to the lp you see in my previous post.
African Brothers - Ade Aye Me

And now something else: One of the other great icons of Ghanaian highlife: E.T. Mensah and his Tempos

A fine highlife about the great rivers of Africa.
E.T Mensah - congo

Here is another example from the famous Decca West-Africa series:

Builders Brigade Band - apolonia

Last but not least, a band I never heard of before:

The Republicans - ahoofe bra

Nana Ampadu's African Brothers International Band

2008-02-17T10:18:00.000-08:00

What is it all about?
Well, i would like to share my enthusiasm about the Highlife music with you. I know there must be some people out there that understand what i'm talking about. Highlife is the a type of African popular music, mostly from Ghana and Nigeria. It often has a melancholic, bit bluesy feeling that i really like. Big names in this genre are E.T Mensah, The African Brothers, Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe, just to name some of my favourites. (for more background, just check Wikipedia) Although highlife has been very popular in Ghana and in Nigeria, in the eighties it lost lots of ground to other musical forms, and in my opinion it has never been the same since. There are still some bands active, but for most Africans this is just nostalgic music from the past. Consequently it is not commercially interesting to re-release this music on cd, so hard to find scratchy records is all we are left with. I've been collecting for some years now and i'm sure i have some interesting tunes in store for you. Be back soon!

This is a track from the 'Tribute to DK Nyarko' album of the African Brothers. DK Nyarko was a pivotal figure in the Ghanaian highlife scene.
boomp3.com