It was only the other day I was singing the praises of Miles Claret and Hugo Mendez (for Mulatu Astake’s New York - Addis - London, Tumbélé! Biguine and Panama 2 but then we find they’re working just as hard to bring you lost treasures from Ghana; therefore we have their latest CD Ghana Special, Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds and Ghanaian Blues 1968-81.

With the onset of the 70s after the hippy end of the late 60s, there was a whole influx of new styles and fashions bombarding the African continent; and it wasn’t just Fela Kuti in Nigeria. Over in Ghana, funk, rock and blues were being fused with local traditional sounds and here we are treated to a whopping 33 tracks on 2 CDs of previous un-reissued A and B sides (erm… that’s of 7 ” singles to you young folks - does that help?)

The Mercury Dance Band are trippy, T.O. Jazz are folky, Christy Azuma and Uppers International Afro go jazz- funk-rock with the sweetest vocal - and that’s just the first three tracks!

Now if you’re cynical, if you can’t find 33 tracks of over a 13 year period in a period of social consciousness and musical energy in a country as big a Ghana, you’re not doing a good job. But as we know from previous releases, for the Soundway’s crew, this is a labour of love. Claret has only spent 10 years on this project travelling to Ghana and getting in touch with all musicians, DJs, distributors and the collector communities in the main cities. All this research goes into the accompanying 44 page booklet but the music is the star turn.

Current favourites are ‘Ohiani Sua Efir’ that’s a bit like a Ghanaian version of The Byrds, the story telling of the City Boys Band and the Afro-sixties popsters of The Cutlass Dance Band (think Johnny Kid and The Pirates meets The Doors in Africa), a bit of Afro-synth fusion with Via-a-Vis, a fantastic track by Kyeremateng Atwede and a bit of Cubana rhythm and horn from Edu Taylor; the Fela/James Brown ‘Twer Nyame’ is cut to 3:39 but lets hope there’s a 12” on cards for this one. And that’s just on CD!

To balance it out, there’s just the one ‘stinker’, ‘You Monopolise Me’ but that’s it.

You may recall he featured on Soundway’s previously released Ghana Soundz compilation as Oscar Sulley’s ‘Bukom Mashie’ got onto the soundtrack of the feature film The Last King Of Scotland on the strength of it and Hedzoleh Soundz (who also recorded with Hugh Masekela, as last seen on Thandiswa Mazwai’s album Ibokwe). Hedzoleh Soundz track on here sounds like a 60’s R&B version of Ladysmith Black Mambazo album but there’s even more Hedzoleh Soundz on Soundway coming soon!”

If you got the Nigerian Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds and Ghanaian Blues 1970-76 (almost an ever present in the windows of Sounds of the Universe since it came out last year also on Soundway), you’ll know what to expect, if not, get both as you’ll be converted; “I go die for you”!

Reviewed: Various - Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds and Ghanaian Blues 1968-81 (Soundway) Cat. No. SNDWCD016 (2 x CD / 5 x LP) Release date: 16th November 2009
Tracklisting CD1 :
01. The Mercury Dance Band - Kai Wawa
02. T. O. Jazz - Owuo Adaadaa Me
03. Christy Azuma & Uppers International - Din Ya Sugri
04. The Barbecues - Aaya Lolo
05. Asaase Ase - Ohiani Sua Efir
06. St. Peter & The Holymen - Bofoo Beye Abowa Den
07. City Boys Band - Nya Asem Hwe
08. Hedzoleh Soundz - Edinya Benya
09. 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
Tracklisting CD2 :
01. The African Brothers International Band - Wompe Masem
02. Gyedu-Blay Ambolley & His Creations - Akoko Ba
03. The Sweet Talks - Akampanye
04. Houghas Sorowonko - Enuanom Adofo
05. Oscar Sulley’s Nzele Soundz - Bukom
06. Bokoor Band - You Can Go
07. K. Frimpong & His Cubanos Fiestas - Kyenkyen Bi Adi M’Awu
08. Basa Basa Soundz feat. Fela Anikulapo Kuti - Dr. Solutsu
09. 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

Links:
www.soundwayrecords.com
www.soundsoftheuniverse.com