Ghana music reviews

Normally when I think of "World Music" I want to stick my finger down my throat and gag, but in this case... I only bring this up because I have seen Osibisa classified in the World Music genre and I hate to categorize them that way, however accurate it may be.

I got this album in the early seventies because of the album cover alone. That was enough to pique my interest. The music was surely not what I expected but it has a groove to it that I liked. This album was especially good with heavy incense, a black light, and that cover done over in dayglo paint. The good old days!

I have not heard this or their first album in thirty years yet I can still remember the melody to Woyaya. I suppose if you are a World Music freak then this album is for you. They were original, and they were unique and there has never been anything quite like them since. The combination of Wendell Richardson and Teddy Osei had magic that still shines through today. To me, Osibisa is the exception to the rule and I highly recommend them even for rockers!

This is an excellent music and is able to take you back in time to remember. Great experience, and is still able to make your heart beat faster.

This is one CD that I use to test speakers. Fire up Survival, turn up the volume, if they can handle this, they are fine. Why you ask? Because this is meant to be played loud, and the bass will rattle a room. WARNING if you rent, don't try this at home. Beautiful 7, and the uplifting ending cut Woyaya make this a must have for world music fans.

Like many of the other reviewers here, I first heard this band/album back in early 70's. Their music is simply great, the energy, the talent - everything. I'm listening to it again after a too long hiatus (it's on my vinyl collection) and I'm stunned - how could I have forgotten this music - I'm ordering their CDs. My siblings will instantly break into smiles at the mention of the phrase "Osibisa - crisscross rythyms that explode with happiness" and then they'll repeat the line "we gonna start this happy vibes right from the root, and the root is early one morning in the heart of Africa." If you like earlier Santana, I'm pretty sure you'll like this - it's different, more African with a twist of Caribbean - but most of all it is just fun.

One night in 1970 lying in my bed inside my psychedelic room listening to my Panasonic/Quadraphonic (forerunner of the surround sound today) component set. I heard on the FM radio station the complete two albums "Osibisa/Woyaya", I was so impressed with their music that the following day I ran to the store to buy both albums! At the time the Santana band was my favorite band. However, Osibisa with their unique African sound became another favorite band of mine. The percussion and the rhythms make you feel you are in Africa. Today I still collect their CD's and listen to the music that once brought the savage out of me; I'll see you later bwanna!

'Osibisa' was formed in London, England in 1969 by a multi-racial group of musicians; all with the same interests in music. The nucleus of the band was from Ghana, others, like the unbelievable guitarist Wendell Richardson, came from Antigua; the bass player who was simply known as Spartacus (I'm Spartacus!) was from Grenada; the keyboard player from Trinidad; and the saxophonist was from Nigeria. However, what they all had in common was great musical rhythm, enthusiasm, and ability. Their music was borrowed from Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, African based drum music, Rock, Pop, and Latin Groove, to create quite an original sound.

In Ghanaian 'Osibisa' means 'criss-cross rhythms that explode with happiness'. Now, how one word can say all that I do not know, but that is exactly how the music sounds, and they are the very words that introduce the first song on this, Osibisa's first, album aptly titled "Dawn".

Like a breath of fresh air, Osibisa's music first came to prominence with the release of their first single "Music for Gong Gong'', included here on their first album, which was released at the tail end of 1970. It is a piece of music that will get even the most conservative of souls out boogieing on the dance floor. So it was great expectations when their first album was released in the early days of 1971 and the boys did not disappoint, arriving as it did when Prog-Rock was in its heyday. Each of these percussive driven songs blew away all the pretensions of those serious minded twiddlers in the likes of Yes, King Crimson, etc. Osibisa's unbridled enthusiasm was so infectious, you could not help but be dragged along by the sheer exuberance of it all.

Although Osibisa's main strength was in their live concerts, they could also drum up a storm (quite literally) in the studio. Nobody at the time could have realized how influential their music was going to be in years ahead. Osibisa today is still known as the Godfather of 'World Music', and the effect of their big hit single "Sunshine Day" (1975) was to change the disco scene for ever. But this, their first album, was to set the template of the Osibisa sound for eternity. The band is still going today, albeit with only two of the seven original members left, which actually is not bad by today's standards considering that the band is now in their 35th year.

Many of the songs on this collection are still in the band's live repertoire today. Like all good albums, the songs on this set play like a live concert. Opener "Dawn", which begins with the immortal translation of Osibisa, builds on a rhythm of percussion until giving way to let the individual soloist bring the song to a rousing conclusion - some seven and a half minutes later. You then get five other songs of criss-cross rhythms before being brought to a riotous climax by "Think About The People".

When a band starts off its career with such a strong album, it is often difficult to keep up the standards set by its debut (especially with an ever changing line-up - Wendell Richardson, the band?s simply stunning lead guitarist, was at one stage lured away by British rockers "Free"). So it is perhaps true to say that Osibisa's studio output has been a little patchy since then, although their live concerts have never been short of marvelous, always led by Teddy Osei out front on drums, sax, fluttering flute, and vocals. This, their first album, is nothing short of a diamond. A must buy for anybody who likes a shot of fun with their music.

Pawed by Mott the Dog
Re-Chewed by Ella Crew

An outstanding historical recording of old-school Nigerian highlife from the newly-inagurated IndigeDisc label. We've grown so used the the sleekness of production-heavy studio wizards like King Sunny Ade that hearing something like this, that retains its charming, minute imperfections, is a real treat. This album includes seven great tracks from one of the founders of the Nigerian pop scene, recorded between 1970-1985... It's all top-flight material, warm, gentle and captivating.... This disc stands up to repeated listenings, and has survived many a CD carousel purge at my house... In fact, it's still in there, and I'm still happy! Highly recommended.

Chief Stephan introduced me to highlife. I saw him play in New York - and as an aside, he is a wonderfull performer if you ever get the chance to see him.

I own a number of Chief Stephan albums, and this is my favorite. Sound Time was recorded in the 70s and captures Stephan's distinctive laid back style. The sound quality is better than on his other recordings of that era (the ones I have heard), and the musical quality and soulfullness surpasses that of his more recent recordings.

This is my favorite classic highlife album after Rex Lawson's greatest hits. Though Lawson is the highlife king (as his name implies), Sound Time - with its polished sound - would be more appropriate to play when you want something not so rough around the edges.

Just listen to the sample Amazon supplies of track 4 - need I say more?

Words can not describe how good this album is. I played this Cd in my car for one whole week and still, I didn't get enough of it. You just have to get it, don't take my word for it. All Osadebe's music speaks for itself, personal reviews are not necessary and I mean that. More than 5+. Ndewo nu oo.

And since this is predominately a Ghanaian collection, the emphasis is on pop sweetness. Classic 1970s highlife: basically "Yaa Amponsah"-style guitar bands with horn sections influenced by soukous from Congo/Zaire. Most of the Ghanaian stars of this period are represented. This was arguably the golden age of Ghanaian pop music, before the economy completely collapsed, and most of the musicians fled for Europe. The inimitable A.B Crentsil/Sweet Talks/Super Sweet Talks/Sweet Talks International agglomeration represented by "Abeye Amawo" in which during the coda/fadeout Crentsil lists roughly half the musicians on this disk (including this collection's producer)who will "help out Sister Adjoa"...Teddy Osei/Mac Tontoh/Osibisa amalgamation appear on three cuts: "Kwaa-Kwaa," "Pete-Pete," and an (innappropriately?)upbeat cover of "Malaika" in which the Ghanians joyfully mangle Swahili. "Matutu Mirika" and "Odo Bra" are from Eric Agyeman's 1979 "Highlife Safari." The ever populist Gyedu-Blay Ambulley contributes an updated "Cut Your Coat" in which he complains about "managers conniving with the traders" and advocates soaking the rich. George Darko and Jewell Ackah are among the other stars of that era who appear on this collection.

This is a must buy for any one that likes West African highlife. I was presented with an excellent sample of all the most famous hits such as "Obey Amawo" and "Kwaa-Kwaa by A.B Crentsil and the Highlife Stars. The variety is superb and the tone is one of upbeat African pop. This album was a must at Nigerian parties in the late seventies and is still immune to age. Children in particular like this album because you can dance to the majority of the songs and the trumpet is not overdone as in later versions of highlife. The songs are catchy, fast and enormously fun. This is an excellent introduction to West African highlife for those unfamiliar with this style of music

this is a must . go get it! being a ghanaian in the U.S. I must say that Ghanaian music has gone far

I can remember this kind of music playing at nigerian parties as a child....and now I just love to mellow out in my room and let the sounds wash over me. Each song has a hidden something, that makes my heart swell with feelings that are undescribable. This CD is a must have for anyone who loves the Chief's music... trust me you won't be disappointed if you buy this CD.

HELLO,
PLEASE KINDLY LET ME KNOW ON HOW TO PURCHASE THIS PRODUCT.I HAVE BEEN LONGING TO GET IT FOR A LONG TIME NOW.I AM LIVING IN UKRAINE.AND I CAN ONLY PAY IN CASH,SO SEND TO ME DETAILS ON HOW TO REMIT THE MONEY EITHER BY POST OR WESTERN UNION MONEY TRNSFER.
THANKS AND GOD BLESS.

WONDERFUL! For the lack of a better English word. What will this world be like without Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe, simply known to us as "OSADEBE".
Anyone who calls him/herself Osadebe's Lover and has not purchased this CD, (Kedu America) must be living under the caves, ( not like those guys you're think of, mabye yea!)
This CD is a must have and it's no joke. All the tracks are amazing. Try listening to Osondi Owendi. Udo dili unu oo.

I worked with John on four of the five volumes of this set (this being the first) and all I can say is that working on those recordings we knew we were in the presence of a musical genius with a deep musical vision.

On the basis of his 5 suite work describing the life of the afroamericans, john carter deserves a place on the jazz pantheon. Not only his work surpasses that of W. Marsalis treating the same argument, but reaches a truly artistic musical form for this specific combo. Besides, his instrumental work at the clarinet knows few peers and finds here a place to flower with no nonsense beauty. Highly recomended for non-discriminating ears.

I worked with John on four of the five volumes of this set (this being the first) and all I can say is that working on those recordings we knew we were in the presence of a musical genius with a deep musical vision.

On the basis of his 5 suite work describing the life of the afroamericans, john carter deserves a place on the jazz pantheon. Not only his work surpasses that of W. Marsalis treating the same argument, but reaches a truly artistic musical form for this specific combo. Besides, his instrumental work at the clarinet knows few peers and finds here a place to flower with no nonsense beauty. Highly recomended for non-discriminating ears.

Produced by avant garde saxophonist, John Zorn, this is a masterfully selected & recorded document of recent performances of traditional & modern recreational musical forms in Ghana, West Africa! It is unclear whether the performances were truely authentic village recordings, or (more likely) played by "Ballet" or modern performance ensembles, but in either case, the playing is flawless, and the sound impeccable!

The selections include (mislabeled on the CD- shame on you, John): Kpanlogo (a Ga recreational dance music invented by Otu Lincoln in the mid 1960's based upon older traditional Oge rhythms mixed with popular Highlife musics- lead drum = twinchin),Akom (an Ashanti [Akan] rhythm family to accompany healing & worship through possession & trance. Lead drum = Obreten), Adowa (the Ashanti antelope dance traditionally used as funeral music, but increasingly employed for diverse ritual occasions. Lead drums = 2 Atumpan), & Tokwe (a Ga/Ewe dance that young girl's go through to prepare for womanhood. lead drums: Ga= Ampah, Ewe= Atsimevu).

The sound quality is among the best I've heard for field recording & quite esthetically pleasing! The drums sound natural, clear, blended, balanced, and present (like you're in the midst of the drummers). The drums have a very attractive slightly distorted sound. Most field recordings sound tinny & distant- NOT this CD! This is the only recording of Ghanian drumming I know of that accurately reproduces the energy and excitement of experiencing a live performance! The notes are scant, unclear, & misleading, but the photos are beautiful & of interest. If you like this also check out: Mustapha Tettey Addy "Master Drummer from Ghana" & "Royal Drums of Ghana"; "Ghana: Rhythms of the People", "Rhythms of Life: Songs of Wisdom", "Akom: The Art of Possession", & Alan Eder, "Reggae Passover" (has great Ewe drumming mixed with Hebrew Passover music).

This CD is comprised entirely of African percussion music. It is used in Voodoo funeral ceremonies, not for mourning purposes but as a celebration for the dearly departed moving on to the next world. The rhythms are fairly complex with a liberal use of bells. Somewhat different from Caribbean sounds.

i was just a kid, but this is it ....best of the best

This CD transports you right back to those days, and if you weren't born then, this is the best shot at giving you a good selection on highlife music as it was then.

Osibisa's Third offering and another to bear stunning 'Flying Elephant' cover art - worth a mention in itself! A more subdued outing than the first two albums, 'Osibisa' and 'Woyaya', with the carnival atmosphere being displaced slightly by heartfelt urban Soul and R'n'B. Guitarist Wendell Richardson declaims is vocals on 'Wango Wango' and 'Sweet Sounds' in a manner similar to Edwin Starr or Levi Stubbs, wonderful. Teddy Osei contrasts with delicate vocal phrasing in the excellent 'Sweet America' with its moody riff and harmonies among others. The discerning listener would do well to add Osibisa to their CD library. Serious music that is also a lot of fun.

I loved Osibisa when I was a teen in India. I never heard it again until I ordered it from Amazon. I think this album is the best of Osibisa's albums.

The percussion and drums are truly wonderful.