Various Artists – Ghana Special 2: Electronic Highlife & Afro Sounds In The Diaspora, 1980-93 (Soundway, 2024)
The album Ghana Special 2: Electronic Highlife & Afro Sounds In The Diaspora, 1980-93 presents an overview of the unique mix of musical genres that emerged during a transformative period in Ghana. Musicians combined drum machines, synthesizers, and traditional instruments, developing a style of highlife that reflected the cultural shifts and influences of the time.
During the early 1980s, Ghana experienced significant social and political changes, which influenced the evolution of its music scene. The Ghanaian diaspora, particularly in the United States, incorporated elements of disco, boogie, R&B, European new wave, and Caribbean zouk and soca into their compositions.
This musical fusion, known as burger highlife, became a symbol of the evolving Ghanaian identity amidst a rapidly changing postcolonial society. Despite its roots in Ghana, burger highlife primarily developed outside the country, coinciding with the decline of its traditional music scene.
In previous decades, cities like Accra, Tema, Takoradi, and Cape Coast were hubs of musical innovation, with live bands and palm wine music dominating the local scene. However, economic downturns, political restrictions, and shifting musical preferences led to a decline in Ghana’s music industry.
As a result, many Ghanaian musicians migrated to other regions, particularly West Africa, Europe, and North America. Germany, with its welcoming migration policies, became a central hub for these artists, inspiring the term “burger highlife.”
Unlike traditional highlife, burger highlife embraced a diverse range of musical influences and experimental approaches. Artists incorporated popular American dance genres like disco, boogie, and funk into their compositions, utilizing state-of-the-art studios and modern technologies to explore new sounds.
Tracks like Ernest Honny’s “New Dance” and Nan Mayen’s “Mumude” exemplify the experimental nature of burger highlife, highlighting innovative arrangements and global influences. Meanwhile, artists like Nana Budjei and Delips Apo drew inspiration from reggae, Akan folklore, soca, Latin music, and zouk.
Despite initial skepticism from purists in Ghana, burger highlife gained recognition as a symbol of modern Ghanaian identity, attracting audiences both locally and abroad. Its legacy continues to influence Ghanaian music, fostering creativity and openness to global sounds while preserving a distinct Ghanaian soul.
Track listing
The Godfathers – Ebe Ye Yie Ni
Released on CBS Records, Nigeria, 1980. Composed by Delips Apo.
The Godfathers, a blend of Ghanaian and Sierra Leonean musicians, recorded their debut album in London in 1979. Their standout track, “Ebe Ye Yie Ne,” combines Twi and Hausa lyrics and focuses on life’s journey and the drive to succeed. The band disbanded shortly after the album’s release, with Delips Apo moving to Europe.
Pat Thomas – Gye Wani
Released on Nakasi Records, UK, 1984. Composed by Pat Thomas.
Known as “The Golden Voice of Africa,” Pat Thomas, mentored by highlife guitarist Kwabena ‘King’ Onyina, rose to fame in the 70s. After moving between Berlin, London, and Accra, he recorded “Gye Wani” with Ebo Taylor in Ghana in 1983, released in 1984.
Bessa Simons – Sii Nana
Released on 3rd Eye Music, UK 1990. Composed by Bessa Simons.
Bessa Simons, a prolific musician and producer from Cape Coast, collaborated with numerous Ghanaian stars in the 70s. He recorded his solo LP Bessa in London during the 80s and currently serves as president of the Musicians Union of Ghana.
Rex Gyamfi – Obiara Bewu
Released on Dream Village Records, 1985. Composed by Rex Gyamfi.
Rex Gyamfi, from Ghana’s Ashanti region, moved to Germany and gained success with his 1984 debut. “Obiara Bewu” from his second album, Hi-Life For You, reflects on mortality and love. Gyamfi later settled in Köln, Germany.
Pepper, Onion, Ginger & Salt – M.C. Mambo
Released on T&L Company Ltd, Ghana, 1985. Composed by Roland Gerard.
Formed by Annette Lorenz in Germany and Max Hammond in Ghana, this band blended European and Ghanaian music. Their album Bubuashie was a hit in Ghana despite being widely bootlegged.
Andy Vans – Adjoa Amisa
Released on A & V Records, UK, 1987. Composed by Andrew Quacoe.
Andy Vans, active in Ghana’s 70s music scene, later moved to Switzerland. He released “Beautiful Collection” in Zurich, reflecting the influence of his peers in London and Germany.
Starlite – Anoma Koro
Released on KV Records, UK, 1991. Composed by Daniel Korsah and Isaac Yeboah.
The Starlite Band, formed in 1968, underwent several transformations. Daniel Korsah and Isaac Yeboah reunited to release two albums in 1989 and 1991 after their successful stint as Vis-A-Vis.
Abdul Raheem – Alaiye
Released on Abrefi Records, UK, 1993. Composed by Abdul Raheem.
Abdul Raheem’s career began in the 1960s with The Comets. He played with various West African bands before joining Osibisa and recording “Alaiye” in London in the 80s.
Ernest Honny – New Dance
Released on Christiana Satel Records, Benin. Composed by Ernest Honny.
Ernest Honny, a keyboardist from Ghana, formed his band in the mid-70s. He recorded “Star Of The Sea” in Benin in the 80s, featuring the experimental track “New Dance.”
Kwasi Afari Minta – Barima Nsu
Released on Festive Feelin Records, UK. Composed by Kwasi Afari Minta.
After producing albums for highlife legends in Ghana, Kwasi Afari Minta moved to London. Despite a tragic fire accident, he recorded “Barima Nsu” in Dalston, using music for healing.
Marijata – Otanhunu
Released on Marijata Entertainment Networks, Canada 1989. Composed by Nana Agyemang Badu Opambuo.
Nana Agyemang Badu Opambuo formed Marijata in Toronto, contributing to the burger movement in the 80s. The band recorded two albums, featuring a young Ata Kak on percussion.
Jon K – Asafo
Released on Nakasi Records, UK, 1989. Composed by Jonathan Opoku.
Jon K’s “Asafo” is a rework of a traditional song, encapsulating the burger sound. The recording features Alfred Bannerman, a prominent Ghanaian guitarist in London.
Dadadi – Jigi Jigi
Released on Sabi Record Productions, USA 1985. Composed by Delips Apo.
Delips Apo, after disbanding The Godfathers, moved to Sweden and released his solo album Dadadi, mixing Caribbean influences with modern production.
Gyedu-Blay Ambolley – Apple
Released on Sunrise Records, UK, 1986. Composed by Gyedu-Blay Ambolley.
Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, a pioneer of highlife, recorded his experimental album Apple in 1986, combining funk, disco, and highlife elements.
Charles Amoah – Fre Me (Call Me)
Released on KAM Records, Germany, 1985. Composed by Charles Amoah.
Charles Amoah, a prominent disco and burger highlife artist, released “Fre Me (Call Me)” in 1985. He aimed to promote Ghanaian music globally, coining the term “ethnopop.”
George Darko – Kaakyire Nua
Released on Okoman Records, Germany, 1983. Composed by George Darko.
George Darko, a key figure in Ghanaian music, recorded “Kaakyire Nua” in 1983. The song mixes traditional themes with modern technology, embodying the burger sound.
Nan Mayen – Mumude
Released privately in Germany, 1989. Composed by Nana Kofi Mayen.
Nana Kofi Mayen, a Cape Coast native, recorded his album From The Best in Berlin. He collaborated with prominent burger musicians Lee Doudou and Bob Fiscian.
Nana Budjei – Asobrachie
Released on KBN Records, UK, 1988. Composed by Nana Budjei.
Nana Budjei, influenced by reggae and traditional Akan music, released “Afrikaman” in 1988. He later returned to Africa to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS through music.
Nana Asiedu AKA Big Joe (Nakasi Records)
Saxophonist Nana ‘Big Joe’ Asiedu, after stints in Germany and London, founded Nakasi Records. He produced records for African music legends and became a key figure in London’s African music scene.
Buy Ghana Special 2: Electronic Highlife & Afro Sounds In The Diaspora, 1980-93.
Author: Douglas Sanders
