Another Golden Voice

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

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

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

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

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

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

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