VARIOUS
Essiebons Special 1973-1984 / Ghana Music Power House (Analog Africa)
Essiebons Special 1973-1984 is number 33 in Analog Africa’s compilations and re-releases, and they’re not showing any sign of spreading thin just yet. Featuring more than a decade’s worth of unreleased tunes and rarities from Ghanian label Essiebons, this 14-tracker has plenty of instrumentals and nuggets from producer Dick Essilfie-Bondzie’s label of love.
Essiebons was a beacon of modern highlife from the 70s golden era, which had CK Mann, Ebo Taylor and Gyedu Blay Ambolley on the roster. Dick passed away before this compilation was completed, but as a solid selection of obscurities found while he was digitising archival master tapes, this is a strong testament to his quality control.
Two tunes from Joe Meah are absolute doozies of keyboard vamps, analog synths and tub-thumping percussion, especially Ahwene Pa Nkasa, and the doubler from CK Mann is haunting. Say The Truth from Ernest Honny is the best of his otherwise Marmitey quadruple, Shakabula is a cracking afrofunk take on James Brown’s most addictive grooves, and Black Masters Band’s Wonnin A Bisa is a lovely example of a deep highlife cut.
words CHRIS SEAL
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