Jul 21/07
Guitars for the Grand-Place
More today from the seemingly endless of supply of great music on the Original Music series.
Today’s tracks come from the compilation, I’ve Found My Love: 1960’s Guitar Band Highlife of Ghana.
“King” Kwabena Onyina is one of the unsung heroes of Ghanaian guitar band highlife. He was well-known in his native Ghana during the 1950s, 60s and 70s for his guitar playing, great voice and catchy songwriting.
The “King” bit is a title he earned from winning a guitar competition in 1961. (You can thank the unsung hero of African music reviews, Banning Eyre, for that factoid.)
I know nothing about the Royal Brothers. Anyone care to fill us in?
Have a nice weekend.
King Onyina – Manya Me Dofo
Royal Brothers – Ohia Woa Enwu
Hi Matt, thanks for the review about the Green arrows, very much appreciated!!
I just started my blog
http://analogafrica.blogspot.com/ and have Linked your page to mine ? The CD you are presenting here is from the Label of another unsung hero, Guenter Gretz from the PAM label (Popular African Music) in Frankfurt. This man has been releasing African Music since the Mid-80s, from Sweet Talks to Orchestre Poly-Rythmo Via Ernesto Djedje and Amadou Balake, all amazing compilations. He also helped Luaka Pop releasing the Album “Love is the real thing-the funky fuzzy Sounds of west africa” as well as working on all the African releases by the label Network (Golden Afrique Series). I thought I should mention this as he rarely seems to receive the credits he deserve.
Hope this finds you well and keep those posts comming…great stuff!
Samy
yes while there is a LOT of suspicion around john storm roberts business practices PAM is a proper label.
on a similar vein – hall of shame to The Daque compilation people too…
still you’re nice and comfortable – thats the most important thing right guys?