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