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