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

BB Collins Marfo

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

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

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