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Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds and Ghanaian Blues 1968-81
This double CD presents vintage cuts which are the direct connect to an explosive musical boom in Ghana.
‘Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds and Ghanaian Blues 1968-81’ presents an expertly compiled snapshot of arguably the most interesting period in the history of Ghana’s music industry. Preceded by a period of economic boom and state investment in the recording industry, the years from which ‘Ghana Special’ mines its gold actually represent a time of stark economic decline and extensive sociological change for the country. For the music industry, this flux and reconfiguration manifested itself in the appearance of a new wave of guitar bands drawn from the poorer echelons of Ghanaian society. Bands nourished on the in-pouring of Soul, Funk and Pop music from Britain and the US, which was duly digested, assimilated and combined with the myriad of styles already calling Ghana home.
Borne out of ten long years of research in and around the cities of Accra, Tema, Cape Coast, Takoradi and Kumasi, the ‘Ghana Special’ project has its roots in the two volume ‘Ghana Soundz’ collection marking the beginning of the Soundway label’s extended foray into lost tropical sounds. Where the ‘Ghana Soundz’ discs focussed on the funkier facets of Ghana’s past, ‘Ghana Special’ opts for a panoramic approach, taking in Blues, Jazz, Highlife and hybridized traditional rhythms alongside the raw Funk which has become a staple of any Soundway African collection. Traditionally influenced cuts like Christy Azuma & The Uppers International’s – ‘Din Ya Sugri’ and St. Peter and the Holymen’s religiously centred ‘Bofoo Beye Abowa Den’ nestle comfortably alongside the sassy swing of the Ogyatanaa Show Band’s – ‘You Monopolize Me’ and the slick polyrhythmic Funk of the Uhuru Dance Band’s ‘Yahyia Mu’. The mighty Fela even makes an appearance, featuring on the lilting 6/8 workout ‘Dr Solutsu’ as part of the Basa Basa Soundz outfit. Vibrant, high quality packaging and extensive sleeve notes heighten this immersion in Ghana’s sonic legacy. Deep enough to satisfy those vintage veterans, whilst holding open the doors for fresh-faced newcomers, this latest addition to the Soundway catalogue comes highly recommended.
Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds and Ghanaian Blues 1968-81 is out now on Soundway.
Other Soundway reviews :
- Tumbélé! Biguine Afro and Latin Sounds from the French Caribbean
- Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou
Duke Etienne / Heads High Music
(3 votes)
compilation label
// ALSO
- Black Man’s Cry - The Inspiration Of Fela Kuti
- Life Stories
- Live Wire
- Joe Bataan & James Pants live at Cargo 11 June plus dates in Leeds and Birmingham
- Quantic and his Combo Barbaro album launch tour starts Friday 5 June at the ICA
- Titi Robin: on the crimes of a state
- French Caribbean, Tumbélé! Biguine Afro and Latin Sounds from the French Caribbean
- Samy Ben Redjeb, Analog adventures
- Youssou N'Dour, Special Fin D’Année 2009
// ALL SOUNDWAY'S REVIEWS
Cartagena!
09/03/2011
Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds and Ghanaian Blues 1968-81
12/11/2009
// DISCOGRAPHY
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Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds and Ghanaian Blues 1968-81 (Compilation).jpg "Tumbélé! Biguine Afro & Latin Sounds from the French Caribbean 1963-74")
Tumbélé! Biguine Afro & Latin Sounds from the French Caribbean 1963-74 (Compilation)// LINKS
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