Moses Kwaku Oppong, the leader of Kakaiku’s Guitar Band,
was born in 1916 in Acra. He quitt elementary school aged
fourteen just to be able to play his guitar. The Nigerian tenant
that worked at his parent’s house used to shout at him; ‘Kai ku’
meaning; ‘look here’ or ‘hi Kwaku’, this became his nickname.
He worked as blacksmith, winch greaser and driver of engines
at Aboso Gold Mines and played his guitar at parties, wake-
keepings and funerals. He named his band after his childhood
nickname and made over 500 records, an enormous amount.
Listen to this ‘Adadam Paa Nie, vol. 2, with it’s funny cover.
( …if anyone could explain this sleeve illustration..? )
P.S. soundquality is a bit poor, unfortunately…
volume one is here

tracks;

1   Ose ye marima mra
2   Aboa apatupre
3   Wo kyiri me
4   Abrabo ye bona
5   If you love me
6   You too go grow
7   Wonfa bone ntua ka
8   Saboa
9   M’sem yi
10  Ayeko na adofo
11  Dora
12  Eno m’ani awu

Have you ever seen this before ? The woman on the frontcover
of this lp is the producer who arranged this lp to be released on
Makossa records. Quite extraordinary and modest not to place
your own picture on the sleeve. Nana Ampadu I is such a modest
person. He dedicated this album to Miss Comfort Boateng ( above ).
I think this is one of their better albums, I am fond of the bass
parts by Guy Emmanuel Opah. Get it now and listen to
the African Brothers Band International, sweeet…

tracks;

1   Mede wo ka a
2   Ase ye do wo
3   Woyoo woyoo
4   Obi do ba

Sam Mangwana started out in the sixties with Vox Africa
and later with Les Maquisards before joining Tabu Ley’s
Afrisa. On this 1987 re-release we hear eight of the songs
recorded in 1968 with Les Maquisards, a fine collector
you better don’t miss, get it while you can..

tracks;

1   Cherie vicky
2   Asana
3   Kumbele rumba la frontière
4   Antaya
5   Bagola ngai motema
6   Tito
7   Missolina
8   Kester yebisa ngai

Some two and a half years ago I found this lp at a recordfair.
I was just about to post it when I found Worldservice had done
it the day before. That happens, I decided to wait a while and
today is the day it gets a second chance. I think it’s a fantas-
tic album that deserves to be heard again and again, check.

tracks;

1   Au fond du coeur
2   Kady kady
3   Kalondji
4   Ya mudjura

Goodmorning, I want to say thank you for the kind reactions
on yesterdays post. Great to have your support. Meanwhile
I must continue, life goes on and there’s so much to do. For
instance, I know that many of you are waiting for the re-up
of a certain lp. The amount of dead links is so enormous,
untill now I never found the energy to really start restoring.
Don’t jump yet, but in the near future I plan to take a month
or so somewhere and work on all of them. Hang in there.
For the moment being, this is another one by the Bantous.
We had some already and this one does not sound very
smooth, lots of cracks. Still, I didn’t want to keep it from
y’all. Although a bit noisy it deserves to be heard, enjoy.

tracks;

1   Mwana kinkala
2   Na ndimi kuruze
3   Fifi zongela ngai
4   Wapi lokoumou ? guy

It has been six days, quite a hiatus on my part. I am
going through a difficult time, sick staffmembers, work,
work, work and worst of all, last monday I had to take
my very best friend and partner to the doctor to send
him over to the eternal huntinggrounds. Sjakie was
13 years and 4 months old. Happy hunting Sjakie.
It is so strange after such a long time, coming
home in an empty house. No need to go out
in the mornings, afternoons and evenings.
I miss him very very much ! …sigh…

About the lp I am posting for you today,
I tried to find some info on the artists but
didn’t find anything useful. Just play it and
tell me what you think. If you are the one to
give us the desired info, please don’t deny.

tracks;

1   Omona wapi
2   Tata na sambwe
3   Mama ali ngi nasala
4   Ya yo sepela
5   Bitumba eyali mabe
6   Ba m’poko

Born Nigerian, Dexter Johnson made his fortune in Senegal,
he was one of the founders of the legendary Star Band. They
played in several clubs in 60’s Dakar. After that Johnson
moved to Abidjan where he worked for the Record label
Disco Stock. This is one of the lp’s he made there.
With Cuban violin player Alfredo Delafe and singer
Raymond Fernandez they formed ‘Estrellas Africanas’.
Dexter Johnson who later also worked with Manu
Dibango and Monte Adentro was a monument of
African music and died in 1977, listen.

tracks;

1   Estrellas africanas
2   Palomina mwanga
3   Asi tocamos guajira
4   Descarga africana
5   La vida continua

It’s been a while since we had us some music from Mali.
Mamadi Diabate and Les Ambassadeurs are here to
fill in the gap. I am absolutely not the one to tell you
all about these musicians but I do know one thing,
this is a hell of a record and worth a couple of
spins. I’m sure it will make your sunday.
Don’t forget, play and spread..

tracks;

1   Moriba kaba
2   Yeke yeke
3   Iye iye
4   Talassa

The more I listen to Youlou Mabiala’s compositions, the
more I like them. His music gets better all the time and
is therefore predetermined to live on for ever. I am only
helping to spread the word. How about this lp with
Les Trois Frères ? Isn’t it just wonderful ? Better
don’t miss it and pass it on to whoever
likes it. I certainly do !

tracks;

1   Papy
2   Ma vie, la vie
3   Kumbe, kumbe
4   Petit cherie
5   Seli go

Yesterday afternoon, my son and I were listening to some reggae
from the old days. I am so happy he has the same hobby his dad
does. He told me he’s going to Germany, to Europe’s biggest reggae
festival, Summerjam. We checked the festivals line-up and found that
among a lot of newer acts, Burning Spear and U-Roy are a few of the
older ones. My son didn’t know the music yet so we sat and listened
to some. Now here’s a U-Roy album for y’all from 1976. Take this and
be sure not to miss Dread in a Babylon as well.
By the way, better check my son’s blog too.
I hope you like’m, have fun.

tracks;

1   Babylon burning
2   Natty rebel
3   So jah jah say
4   Natty kung fu
5   If you should leave me
6   Do you remember
7   Travelling man
8   Have merci
9   Badie boo
10  Go there natty
11  Fire in a trenchtown