Various - Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds, Ghanaian Blues 1968

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5...according to our Brian on Fri 13 Nov, 2009.

Got to write a few words about this smashing box set we've sourced. With the burgeoning revival of interest in African music from Benin, Togo, Nigeria & Ghana amongst others, this 5 LP set - spanning a highly fruitful 13 year period in Ghana's rich legacy - is an absolute gem (and a total bargain to boot!). It's the propulsive rhythms, hypnotic vocal harmonising and sheer wealth of soul & passion that makes this music some of the most vital & moving in the world. Be it more stripped down Ghanian blues to itchy & celebratory high-life & wild calypso, this compilation is a hugely passionate trawl through some of the more traditional minded & fiercely genuine sounds to emanate from this fertile region. You should check out some of the dirtier, funkier afro-beat stuff on this Soundway label too & the beautifully compiled sets on Analog Africa, all pretty astonishing. This puts much of the Western canon of cartoonish popular music to shame but if Vampire Weekend get even 100 people into the real deal then they've not done that much harm eh? Heart bursting gear.

Soundway steps back into Africa with thirty-three original and previously un-reissued tracks from Ghana delivering a follow on of sorts from the hugely successful CD/LP Nigeria Special.

Ghana Special represents nearly ten years of on-going research in and around the cities of Accra, Tema, Cape Coast, Takoradi and Kumasi, knocking on musician’s doors and visiting ex-distributors, DJs, collectors, manufacturers and shop owners who helped piece the story together.

The roots of this project goes back to a pair of albums named Ghana Soundz (Volumes 1 and 2), which focussed solely on the ‘funkier’ side of the same period. Alongside new artists and groups, some other works of the many musicians and producers Cleret met whilst researching those records are also included here. Many of these tracks have remained only in people’s memories or in collections of LPs that sit unplayed: until now of course.

Ghana Special comes as a double CD hardback case-bound book and 5LP vinyl box set. The CD features 44 pages of history, photographs and original record scans.

Tracklisting:

CD1

1. The Mercury Dance Band – Kai Wawa
2. T. O. Jazz – Owuo Adaadaa Me
3. Christy Azuma & Uppers International – Din Ya Sugri
4. The Barbecues – Aaya Lolo
5. Asaase Ase – Ohiani Sua Efir
6. St. Peter & The Holymen – Bofoo Beye Abowa Den
7. City Boys Band – Nya Asem Hwe
8. Hedzoleh Soundz – Edinya Benya
9. The Cutlass Dance Band – HweHwe Mu Yi Mpena
10. Dr. K. Gyasi & His Noble Kings – Sei Nazo
11. Kyeremateng Atwede & The Kyeremateng Stars – I Go Die For You
12. Vis a Vis – Obi Agye Me Dofo
13. Ebo Taylor – Twer Nyame (excerpt)
14. The Big Beats – Mi Nsumõõ Bo Dõnn
15. Pa Steele’s African Brothers – Odo Mmera
16. The Ogyatanaa Show Band – You Monopolise Me

CD2

1. The African Brothers International Band – Wompe Masem
2. Gyedu-Blay Ambolley & His Creations – Akoko Ba
3. The Sweet Talks – Akampanye
4. Houghas Sorowonko – Enuanom Adofo
5. Oscar Sulley’s Nzele Soundz – Bukom
6. Bokoor Band – You Can Go
7. K. Frimpong & His Cubanos Fiestas – Kyenkyen Bi Adi M’Awu
8. Basa Basa Soundz feat. Fela Anikulapo Kuti – Dr. Solutsu
9. Pagadeja – Tamale
10. Hedzolleh Soundz – Omusus Da Fe M’musu
11. The Uhuru Dance Band – Yahyia Mu
12. Dr. K. Gyasi & His Noble Kings – Noble Kings (Yako Aba)
13. The Wellis Band – Bindiga
14. Boombaya – Boombaya
15. Sawaaba Soundz – Owuo
16. The Cutlass Dance Band – Them Go Talk Of You
17. Honny & The Bees Band – Sisi Mbon