It is always nice to do new musical discoveries. On one of my last
recordhunts I found this highlife album by Akwasi Yeboah’s Band.
I think they are from Ghana, correct me if I’m wrong. It is in
good condition and sounds perfect for it’s 30 years of age.
There are 6 great songs here, anybody who can tell us more ?

tracks;

1 Obaatan pa ( Good mother )
2 Obaa yi ho ye fe ( Beautiful woman )
3 Aboa abirekyire ( Wisdom of a goat )
4 Adam nana rekoo ( Mother nature )
5 Ade akye asa( the beginning and end of a day )
6 Koose part 2 ( Daily bread )

It’s been a while since we had Nigerian music. This is a tremendous
group that plays a very relaxed highlife. The cover of the LP does
not give us any useful information, please feel free to comment
on this sweet highlife album by the Super Negro Bantous.

tracks;

1 Professional Super Bantous
2 Life responsibility
3 Take time
4 Judgment

Early eighties when this LP was released, I was a rooky concerning
African music. This is one of the albums that became a classic
at my place, we used to play it quite much during the 80’s.
Normally I’m not so much into instrumentals, and this LP is
not very vocal, still I think it’s a great album. The London
Stern’s label always garantees a solid listen.

tracks;

1 All that glitters
2 Travel & see
3 Wish you were here
4 Abrokyire abrabo
5 I de tell you mama
6 Salaam alekum
7 For better, for worse
8 Your touch is so warm

Sierra Leone is a country of many languages, part from Creole,
wich is spoken in the capital Freetown and is based on ‘Pidgin
English’, there are also ‘Mende’ and ‘Timini’.
On this album by the Black Diamonds we hear all those languages.
Bandleader Sami Kamara claims that he invented the band’s name
when he thought he tripped over a rock that appeared to be a
Diamond. Great coverpicture, the ladies are singers and drummers
in the group. And how about Sami with his kazoo.

tracks;

1 Enjo ma
2 Tete
3 Omea kweke kawumbu
4 E hallah wye
5 Oda
6 Pom pom lolo
7 Kisiyade
8 Egun dide
9 Objetebe
10 Yu too wowo
11 Nadeo
12 Mina stranger

This is a Nigerian record, made by a band that exists mainly
out of Camerounian musicians. Many came to Nigeria when oil
was found and economy grew. By the middle of the 80’s, many left
again. Music styles started to fuse and this LP is a good example,
it contains Highlife, Soukous, Makossa, all stirred, not shaken.
Seriously, this is great music.

tracks;

1 Canon kpa kum
2 Cordelia my choice
3 African system no 1
4 Baby Agnes

Oliver de Coque was a prolific guitarist who popularised the
‘Ogene’ dance, an inspiring style of Nigerian High Life.
Oliver Sunday Akanite was born in 1947 and started his music
career at the age of 11. He played on the Prince Nico Mbarga’s
evergreen album “Sweet Mother” and recorded himself more than 70
albums that have next to great music, the funniest picture
covers around. King Chief Oliver de Coque died on june 20, 2008
in a hospital in Gbagada, Lagos, after struck by heart failure.
May he rest in peace. On this album ‘de Coque’ really makes true
his great name, on ‘Baby don’t cry’ he seems to be calling chickens
with his guitar. For the occasion Oliver put on his most
special dress. Don’t you just love that tigerprint ?

tracks;

1 Ife chi kwulu geme ( Sound Ogene )
–Onye zogbulu nwambe ?
2 Baby don’t cry
3 Go call police

The album presented tonight was reguested by one of our visitors.
Prince Nico Mbarga was luckily married, as you can hear in track
one of this LP. Who knows another African artist with a Mercedes
almost like this one ?

tracks;

1 Lucky marriage
2 Nnwa di mma
3 Welcome
4 Aye yi mole

Second LP by the great Oliver de Coque at this page is this one.
The title is more or less the same but this one is from 1977.
First side contains two tracks although they appear to be one. I
didn’t try to devide them, chanceless if I would.
Don’t you just love that outfit ?

tracks;

1 Oje mba ewilo / Odi ili eri aku special
2 The tragedy journey of two friends
3 Oma obi dia

From Nigeria 1977 comes this album by Oliver de Coque.
The Rough Guide on World Music calls him a classic Highlifer.
I quote; “..the colourful de Coque occupies a unique position
in the highlife pantheon, syncretising classic Congo guitar
into laidback highlife rhythms.”

tracks;

1 Ten commandments
2 Igwe bu ike
3 Anazo eze azo ?
4 Olumo Records Special

After his huge succes in 1976 with ‘Sweet Mother’, Prince Nico
Mbarga had become indestructible throughout most West African
countrys. I found this LP together with two others, also from ’81.
Family Movement and Lucky Marriage, I’ll post those later.
Poppy kind of Highlife from Nigeria.

tracks;

1 Cool money
2 Another woman’s husband
3 Impossible
4 Afufu uwa