Original Beach Scorpions

Well, this band is certainly one of my favourites: The Original Beach Scorpions, led by Anthony Scorpion. Fine guitarwork, remarkable voices, truly original.

This is a tribute song for the Nigerian Highlife star Rex Lawson: Buguma

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Yamoah's Band

And once again a 'new'album from my favourite band, Yamoah's.
It dates from 1975, so it is hardly new, and probably the music is even older. But i had never seen it before, so i want to share it with you.
Cedi Special, the Ghanaian currency: money, it's a gaz...

Yamoah's Band - Cedi Special

King Sonny Brown and his Sailors Band

And now it's time for a Nigerian track: King Sonny Brown and his Sailors Band.
Sonny Brown was back-up trumpet-player in Rex Lawson;s Band, and started his own band after the much regretted early death of the beloved Highlife star.
On this track he plays sax, and quite well, if you ask me.

King Sonny Brown and his Sailors Band - Ndeoma Biri

Gay Brothers Band of Ghana

Here's another nice tune for you: the Gay Brothers Band. Ok, in the seventies in Ghana, 'Gay' had nothing to do with sexual orientation, but more with religion, a kind of 'happy to be Christian' thing.
Anyway, here's Ene Me Ntra

Honourable Vincent Ugabi and his Weppa Wanno Youths Dance Band (Agenebode)

Lately i have collected a number of albums by Vincent Ugabi and his Weppa Wanno Dance Band.
He is also the leader of Weppa Wanno Sound, the connection between the 2 bands is not clear to me.
It's really 'deep' highlife, dark and brooding.
I'm sure you'll like it.

Akhagba Egbe

Prince Issa Kiya and his Uppers Real Brothers Band of Ghana

Prince Issa Kiya and his Uppers Real Brothers Band of Ghana: never heard of them? Well neither did I. But i'm sure if you follow the link you will not forget them. Not that the music is unforgettable, but the voice is. It seems that for Ghanaians, a distinctive voice is more important than a beautiful voice. But hey, click and make up your own mind.
Prince Issa Kiya and his Uppers Real Brothers Band of Ghana - Adea Maame Pe

Agyeman Brothers International Band

This album puzzels me. Why Ageman Brothers, when it is so clearly a Agyeman Opambuo album? Why was it not published as Opambuo International Band?
And who is/are the other brother(s)? Is it Eric Agyeman? If so, why is he not mentioned on the cover?
Well, i guess i will never know. Anyway, it's nice album, i will share the second track with you.
Here is Meni Tro Dabaasi

Yamoah's Band

For me, finding a 'new' Yamoah's album is really something special. He was one of the greatest Ghanaian Highlife artists, with a unique sound, of which the high voice of the singer Agyaaku was a crucial element.
P.K. Yamoah died in 2014 at the age of 86, may he rest in peace.
Unfortunately he has left us just a small number of albums, until recent just 5, and this one makes six.



I'll give you Ska Ye De

P.s. The cover makes you wonder at what audience this Decca release was targeted: an African pop-musician would never put a traditional carving on the cover, and would know the difference between Yoruba and Ashanti..

Ndokwa Super International Band led by Bob Fred

It has been some time, so to make it up to you a nice long track by a fine band, Bob Fred's Ndokwa Super.
Bob Fred was guitarist with the International Brothers when Rogana Ottah and Franco Lee Ezute were also bandmembers.
His later records were with the Ukwani Brothers and Ndokwa Super.
Haunting percussion, fine guitars, nice vocals and the occasional horn, who could ask for more?
Bob Fred - Nnebune Special-Mejenechi

Sir Waziri Oshomah And His Family Traditional Sound Makers

Despite the name of the band, this is not traditional music, but highlife. And Islamic Highlife, for that matter, later albums are credited to Alhaji Waziri Oshomah.
Once again a quote from John Beadle:
'Alhaji Waziri Oshomah was born in Osomegbe Ekperi, northern Edo State, Nigeria, and together with his late colleague/rival Bolivia Oshiogbeme is a leading musician of the Etsako people of that region. Edo and Delta States, together with their constituent peoples such as the Edo or Bini, Urhobo, Itsekiri and "western" Igbo, roughly correspond to the former Benin Empire, renowned worldwide for its artwork. While Etsako is related to the more widespread Edo language, the two are not mutually intelligible. There are close to 200,000 Etsako speakers in Nigeria, divided among various dialects. Oshomah's recordings are usually listed as "Ekperi," which is a dialect of Etsako.'
Anyway, enjoy: Egwili Ozagboa II (sorry about the skip)

Rogana Ottah and the Black Heroes

Let me quote from John Beadle:
'Guitarist Isaac Rogana Ottah, "The Oshio Super King," a prolific artist from Akoku, Ndokwa LGA, Delta State, is one of the better-known Anioma musicians. His musical career began in the early 1970s when he played in the bands of Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe and Rex Lawson. In 1973 he joined fellow Ndokwa native Charles Iwegbue and His Hino Sound Band. Striking out on his own after Iwegbue's tragic death in 1976, Ottah scored a major hit with his first LP, Ukwani Special, in 1977. In quick succession a series of outstanding recordings, notably the "Oshio Super" series, propelled Ottah to the vanguard of the Anioma recording scene. Although his career slowed after the 1980s, he still made a prosperous livelihood as a touring musician into the early years of the 21st century.
I have received reports that Rogana Ottah passed away several years ago but have been unable to confirm them.'

Here is one of his greatest hits, the 'Ukwani Special'

Ukwani Special


P.s. my motivation to post music has been low, lately. But i understand that there are some people out there that appreciate this music, so this is for you.

Amala Dede Okoh and his United Brothers

A bit confusing, but there seem to have been several United Brothers Bands in Nigeria. This particular one is led by Amala Dede Okoh. According to the label it is Ika/Bini highlife, Ika being one of the many Delta-languages. Anyway, the title track is excellent, just listen.

Abavo Alua

Globemasters Dance Band

The sixties were an exiting era, certainly in Africa. With the regained independence, everything seemed possible. Big Band Highlife reflects this sentiment best in Ghana, here is another example: The Globemasters Dance Band with the track Ananom Esia


(Comments welcome)

Eastern Pioneers of Ghana

This is one of those lucky hits: I had never heard of these guys, but it is really fine music, i'm sure you will agree. No information about the band, so just enjoy.

Eastern Pioneers of Ghana - Enye Wani Kaan

Kings International

There are a lot of Kings in Highlife, and even more International Bands. So this band's name is not very original, but their music is really worthwhile.
Just listen to the track i've uploaded for you: Very atmospheric with another special voice.
A bit like Goddy Ezike, if you ask me.
Enjoy!

Kings International

Peacocks again

I still get request for a post about the Peacocks i made several years ago. And indeed you're right, The Peacocks were one of the top guitar highlife bands of their time. It's strange that not all of their music has been re-released on cd. Here again, perhaps their most famous track: Sambola Mama, the longer version.


Sambola Mama

(Note: this will be an exception. Links die, and i'm not going to keep them alive. So please, no requests)

Olariche Brothers

Another group of brothers. Out of the albums I have of this band, this one is my favourite. The sound reminds me of the Peacocks, spacious with a lot of percussion, subtle guitars and raw voices. All in all, just the way i like it.

Want more? check out my comment.

Olariche Super Sonic Band of Owerri - Parariche

Dr. K. Gyasi

First of all, a Happy New Year!
May 2013 be a fruitful year for all of you.

But i would like to start my blog this year with a small commemoration for The Highlife Boss, who has recently departed. (Thanks Kwabena, for bringing this to our attention)
In his long career Dr. K. Gyasi was responsible for many remarkable songs, but the one that is for me his signature song is Kokro Heniko.
A melancholic song that fits the occasion.

DrKG-KH

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