Analog Africa
v/a- AFROBEAT AIRWAYS 2: Return Flight To Ghana 1974-1983 2LP
$48.95
Includes 44-pg booklet.
From the coastal cities of Accra and Cape Coast, basked in a tropical sound heavily
influenced by highlife, to the semi-Saharan cities of Tamale and Bolgatanga (part of a
self-proclaimed ''Islamic Funk Belt'') via the central city of Kumasi, Analog Africa has
criss-crossed Ghana in search of rare tracks for the Afrobeat Airways series.
Following the success of the first installment in 2009, Analog Africa is proud to present the second volume -- a selection of 13 ultra-rare tracks composed by some of the musical giants who had created a movement that rocked the West African nation throughout the '70s: legendary singer K. Frimpong; Nana Ampedu (leader of the mighty African Brothers Band); Gyedu-Blay Ambolley and his superb guest appearance with The Complex Sounds; Afrobeat star Ebo Taylor, backing his son on an
unreleased track called ''Children Don't Cry''; the enigmatic Rob and his unique blend
of twisted Afro-funk; innovative drummer De Frank; and Uppers International,
with their raw, Islamic funk style.
More obscure artists such as Los Issufu And His Moslems, Waza Afrika 76, and Tony Sarfo And The Funky Afrosibi make northern hemisphere debuts, adding to a rich list of Ghanaian artists whose music could be transferred seamlessly to any dancefloor in the world.
Three years in the making, the accompanying 44-page booklet of Afrobeat Airways 2 features an introductory essay written by Afropop Worldwide editor Banning Eyre, exploring the development of soul, funk and Afrobeat during the '60s and '70s in Ghana. The remaining 30 pages are packed with interviews and biographies of the artists and producers involved in the creation of this wonderful music. Additionally, the Analog Africa team has managed to track down the photographers of the famous Modern Photo studios, located at the front of Accra's legendary Tip Toe, a venue notorious for organizing unforgettable dance competitions, ''Miss Tip Toe'' contests and the most in-demand highlife and Afrobeat gigs of the day.
To document what happened within the music scene in Ghana during that time, 400 negatives have been lent to the Analog Africa team. Samy Ben Redjeb selected 50 of the most expressive pictures to document what could well be Analog Africa's most beautiful booklet to date.
TRACKLISTING
01. Uppers International - Aja Wondo
02. Ebo Taylor Jnr. - Children Don't Cry
03. De Frank's Band - Do Your Own Thing
04. The Cutlass Band - Obiara Wondo
05. De Frank And His Professionals - Waiting for My Baby
06. The African Brothers - Wope Me A Ka
07. Los Issufu And His Moslems - Kana Soro
08. Waza-Afriko 76 - Gbei Kpakpa Hife Sika
09. Rob - Loose Up Yourself
10. Tony Sarfo & The Funky Afrosibi - I Beg
11. K. Frimpong - Abrabo
12. Pierre Antoine And Vis-A-Vis - Say Min Sy Soh
13. Complex Soundz - God Is Love
From the coastal cities of Accra and Cape Coast, basked in a tropical sound heavily
influenced by highlife, to the semi-Saharan cities of Tamale and Bolgatanga (part of a
self-proclaimed ''Islamic Funk Belt'') via the central city of Kumasi, Analog Africa has
criss-crossed Ghana in search of rare tracks for the Afrobeat Airways series.
Following the success of the first installment in 2009, Analog Africa is proud to present the second volume -- a selection of 13 ultra-rare tracks composed by some of the musical giants who had created a movement that rocked the West African nation throughout the '70s: legendary singer K. Frimpong; Nana Ampedu (leader of the mighty African Brothers Band); Gyedu-Blay Ambolley and his superb guest appearance with The Complex Sounds; Afrobeat star Ebo Taylor, backing his son on an
unreleased track called ''Children Don't Cry''; the enigmatic Rob and his unique blend
of twisted Afro-funk; innovative drummer De Frank; and Uppers International,
with their raw, Islamic funk style.
More obscure artists such as Los Issufu And His Moslems, Waza Afrika 76, and Tony Sarfo And The Funky Afrosibi make northern hemisphere debuts, adding to a rich list of Ghanaian artists whose music could be transferred seamlessly to any dancefloor in the world.
Three years in the making, the accompanying 44-page booklet of Afrobeat Airways 2 features an introductory essay written by Afropop Worldwide editor Banning Eyre, exploring the development of soul, funk and Afrobeat during the '60s and '70s in Ghana. The remaining 30 pages are packed with interviews and biographies of the artists and producers involved in the creation of this wonderful music. Additionally, the Analog Africa team has managed to track down the photographers of the famous Modern Photo studios, located at the front of Accra's legendary Tip Toe, a venue notorious for organizing unforgettable dance competitions, ''Miss Tip Toe'' contests and the most in-demand highlife and Afrobeat gigs of the day.
To document what happened within the music scene in Ghana during that time, 400 negatives have been lent to the Analog Africa team. Samy Ben Redjeb selected 50 of the most expressive pictures to document what could well be Analog Africa's most beautiful booklet to date.
TRACKLISTING
01. Uppers International - Aja Wondo
02. Ebo Taylor Jnr. - Children Don't Cry
03. De Frank's Band - Do Your Own Thing
04. The Cutlass Band - Obiara Wondo
05. De Frank And His Professionals - Waiting for My Baby
06. The African Brothers - Wope Me A Ka
07. Los Issufu And His Moslems - Kana Soro
08. Waza-Afriko 76 - Gbei Kpakpa Hife Sika
09. Rob - Loose Up Yourself
10. Tony Sarfo & The Funky Afrosibi - I Beg
11. K. Frimpong - Abrabo
12. Pierre Antoine And Vis-A-Vis - Say Min Sy Soh
13. Complex Soundz - God Is Love
