Peter Somuah – Highlife (ACT Music, 2024)
Peter Somuah’s 2024 album Highlife is a masterful mix of Ghanaian highlife traditions and contemporary jazz. At the same time, it addresses themes of history, identity, and self-empowerment.
Recorded with vintage analog equipment, the enthralling album captures the warmth and authenticity of 1960s highlife, characterized by its rhythmic guitar patterns, extraordinary basslines, infectious brass melodies, and intricate percussion. Somuah’s phenomenal trumpet leads the way, weaving a seamless dialog between the past and the present.
Highlife features a star-studded lineup of Ghanaian musical legends and rising talents. The opening track, “We Give Thanks,” highlights the iconic Pat Thomas, celebrated as “The Golden Voice of Africa.” The iconic Gyedu-Blay Ambolley delivers sharp commentary on political greed in “Chop Chop.” Meanwhile, 93-year-old highlife pioneer Koo Nimo narrates the genre’s rich origins, adding depth and historical context.
Somuah enriches the album’s sound by collaborating with young Ghanaian artists, bridging generational gaps. Singer Lamisi Akuka contributes soulful vocals influenced by the northern traditions of Ghana on “African Continent,” while Bright Osei Baffour and Thomas Botchway infuse traditional guitar riffs and talking drum grooves, respectively.
Beyond its musical brilliance, Highlife offers sharp reflections on colonial legacies and social justice. Tracks like “Mental Slavery” confront the psychological scars of colonialism, while the very name of the highlife genre, a nod to its origins as entertainment for Ghana’s colonial elite, invites deeper reflection. Yet, amid these weighty themes, the album remains uplifting, inviting listeners to dance and reflect in equal measure.
Musicians: Peter Somuah on trumpet, vocals, cowbell; Jesse Schilderink on tenor saxophone; Anton de Bruin on keyboards, Rhodes, synthesizer; Jens Meijer on drums; Danny Rombout on congas, shekere; Marijn van de Ven on double bass and electric bass; Lamisi Akuka on vocals; Thomas Botchway on talking drum and shekere; Pat Thomas on vocals; Gyedu-Blay Ambolley on vocals; and Bright Osei Baffour on guitar.
Composed and produced by Peter Somuah.
Recorded at Butterama Recording Center in Berlin, Germany, on 4 – 6 March 2024.
Recorded by Rouven Lazlo Haegner.
Mixed by Benjamin Spitzmüller and Anton de Bruin.
Mastered by Stuart Hawkes.
Photo by Patrick Kenawy.
Track listing:
01 The Rhythm feat. Koo Nimo 1:03
02 We Give Thanks feat. Pat Thomas 4:19, lyrics by Pat Thomas
03 Bruce Road 5:18
04 Drumbeat 4:29
05 Chop Chop feat. Gyedu-Blay Ambolley 4:30, lyrics by Gyedu-Blay Ambolley
06 Conqueror 4:03
07 Mental Slavery 4:59, lyrics by Peter Somuah
08 Re-imagined 5:49
09 African Continent feat. Lamisi Akuka 4:29, lyrics by Lamisi Akuka
10 Jamestown 5:29
Buy Highlife.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.