Jump to content

Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Ghanaian Blues 1968–1981

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Ghanaian Blues 1968–1981
Compilation album by
Various Artists
Released2 November 2009
GenreHighlife
LabelSoundway Records

Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Ghanaian Blues 1968–1981 is a compilation album released by Soundway Records on 2 November 2009.[1] The compilation is focused on highlife, a Ghanaian musical style that gained popularity across western Africa in the first half of the 20th century.[2][3] The tracks from the compilation date from a period of political and economic instability in Ghana.[3]

Background and release

[edit]

Soundway Records was founded in 2002, and its first release was a compilation called Ghana Soundz, consisting of Ghanaian afrobeat and funk from the 1970s; a second volume followed in 2004.[4][5] In 2007 Soundway released Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife, Afro–Sounds & Nigerian Blues 1970–76, starting the series of which Ghana Special is a part.[6] Soundway went on to release a Kenya Special compilation in 2013,[7][8] and in 2024 released a direct sequel to Ghana Special entitled Ghana Special 2: Electronic Highlife & Afro Sounds In The Diaspora, 1980–93.[9]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Robert Christgau(1-star Honorable Mention)[10]
Pitchfork8.5/10[11]
Songlines[12]

Jude Rogers of The Guardian described Ghana Special as "rare and glitteringly good afropop".[13] Jon Caramanica of the New York Times preferred the compilation to 2007's Nigeria Special, writing that "the vocals here are sweeter, the rhythms more delicate, the songs slower, lighter and more beguiling."[7] Robert Barry of the Quietus described the album as having an "overwhelming sense of joy and prescience."[3]

Joe Tangari of Pitchfork rated the compilation 8.5/10, writing that "Ghana Special offers a spoil of riches you can dance to in any language." He called the extensive liner notes "a treasure trove of backstory".[11] Writing for AllMusic, Phil Freeman rated the album 4.5/5, and said that "most of the [tracks] will be incomprehensible to a U.S. listener -- and it won't matter one bit, because the rhythms and melodies are so overpowering and forceful."[1] Chris Meinst of Songlines called the album "beautifully packaged and researched...a considered snapshot from an era that avoids musical classification."[12]

Track listing

[edit]
Disc 1 track listing
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Kai Wawa"The Mercury Dance Band3:01
2."Owuo Adaadaa Me"T.O. Jazz2:52
3."Din Ya Sugri"Christy Azuma & Uppers International7:03
4."Aaya Lolo"The Barbecues3:48
5."Ohiani Sua Efir"Asaase Ase4:02
6."Bofoo Beye Abowa Den"St. Peter & The Holymen3:15
7."Nya Asem Hwe"City Boys Band4:51
8."Edinya Benya"Hedzoleh Soundz3:17
9."Hwehwe Mu Yi Mpena"The Cutlass Dance Band3:18
10."Sei Nazo"Dr. K. Gyasi & His Noble Kings3:02
11."I Go Die For You"Kyeremateng Atwede & The Kyeremateng Stars5:23
12."Obi Agye Me Dofo"Vis A Vis9:51
13."Twer Nyame" (excerpt)Ebo Taylor5:22
14."Mi Nsumõõ Bo Dõnn"The Big Beats3:39
15."Odo Mmera"Pa Steele's African Brothers3:01
16."You Monopolise Me"The Ogyatanaa Show Band3:14
Disc 2 track listing
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Wompe Masem"The African Brothers International Band4:19
2."Akoko Ba"Gyedu-Blay Ambolley & His Creations5:26
3."Akampanye"The Sweet Talks4:27
4."Enuanom Adofo"Houghas Sorowonko3:10
5."Bukom"Oscar Sulley's Nzele Soundz3:28
6."You Can Go"Bokoor Band3:22
7."Kyenkyen Bi Adu M'Awu"K. Frimpong & His Cubano Fiestas6:57
8."Dr. Solutsu" (Feat. Fela Anikulapo Kuti)Basa Basa Soundz3:22
9."Tamale"Pagadeja3:11
10."Omusu Da Fe M'musu"Hedzoleh Soundz4:58
11."Yahyia Mu"The Uhuru Dance Band4:11
12."Noble Kings (Yako Aba)"Dr. K. Gyasi & His Noble Kings5:46
13."Bindiga"The Wellis Band3:25
14."Boombaya"Boombaya3:39
15."Owuo"Sawaaba Soundz4:20
16."Them Go Talk Of You"The Cutlass Dance Band3:14
17."Sisi Mbon"Honny & The Bees Band6:47

Personnel

[edit]
  • Miles Cleret – compliled by, liner notes, research
  • Nick Robbins – mastering

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Ghana Special at AllMusic
  2. ^ John Collins (1989). "The Early History of West African Highlife Music". Popular Music. 8 (3): 221–230. doi:10.1017/S0261143000003524. ISSN 0261-1430. JSTOR 931273.
  3. ^ a b c Robert Barry (2009-11-16), "Ghana Special (review)", thequietus.com, The Quietus, archived from the original on 2024-05-21, retrieved 2024-05-21
  4. ^ Amar Ediriwira (2015-12-22), "Label Spotlight: Soundway Records", thevinylfactory.com, The Vinyl Factory, archived from the original on 2017-07-08, retrieved 2024-05-21
  5. ^ Ghana Soundz (Afrobeat Funk & Fusion In 1970's Ghana):
  6. ^ Charlie Gillett (2008-06-15), "Various, Nigeria Special", theguardian.com, The Observer, archived from the original on 2022-08-14, retrieved 2024-05-21
  7. ^ a b Jon Caramanica (2009-11-27), "Thinking Inside the Box (Musically, That Is): Ghana Special review", nytimes.com, New York Times, archived from the original on 2024-05-21, retrieved 2024-05-21
  8. ^ Neil Spencer (2013-04-28), "Kenya Special: Selected East African Recordings from the 1970s and 80s – review", theguardian.com, The Observer, archived from the original on 2021-01-23, retrieved 2024-05-21
  9. ^ Adriane Pontecorvo (2024-05-21), "'Ghana Special 2' Chronicles an Innovative Chapter in Highlife History", popmatters.com, PopMatters, archived from the original on 2024-05-21, retrieved 2024-05-22
  10. ^ Robert Christgau, "Ghana Special (review)", robertchristgau.com, retrieved 2024-05-23
  11. ^ a b Joe Tangari (2009-11-09), "Ghana Special (review)", pitchfork.com, Pitchfork, retrieved 2024-05-21
  12. ^ a b Chris Menist (January–February 2010), "Ghana Special (review)", songlines.co.uk, Songlines, archived from the original on 2024-06-20, retrieved 2024-06-20
  13. ^ "F&M playlist", theguardian.com, The Guardian, 2009-10-08, archived from the original on 2024-05-21, retrieved 2024-05-21