Ghanaian Highlife

Starting with a Nigerian (!) demonstration of bell and shekere playing, formidable and including a sponge. Then traditional drums played by Mustapha Tettey Ade. The talking drum in an ensemble and Sammy Odoh demonstrating palm wine guitar complete the Ghanaian ingredients of Highlife.

Put together with a big band influence in the 50s and 60s E.T. Mensah was one of the pioneers of the highlife band, as in the 1960’s freedom anthem Ghana Freedom and All For You. 

Highlife had its height in the 80s with bands such as Orchestre Jazira in London, and Bessa Simons. Since the 90s the popular music coming out of Ghana has been more studio based, the term hiplife describing tracks such as this remix of Kwabena Frimpong’s highlife track by Omanhene Pozo.

Guitarist Alfred Bannerman performs with Konkoma around London, and Ghanaian singer Richmond Kessie’s band Yaabafunk is performing on 25th May at the Hootenanny, Brixton.

Watch this page for the upload of my radio programme on African music.