Abrabo

In the 1970s and 80s many musicians left Ghana for Europe, and especially Germany, to escape oppression and economic woes. While several other European transplants flirted with new technologies and leaned into the synthetic sounds of Burger Highlife, K. Frimpong and his Cubano Fiestas (one of the two bands he played with regularly throughout the 70s) stick to their particularly powerful blend of highlife, soul, and funk on their 1984 album Abrabo, which was recorded in Germany. The title track for example combines a funky strut with a whirling guitar riff and classic highlife vocals, which carry through on “Abusuafo,” one of the tracks where synths appear subtly entwined with a solid percussive base, melodic flute, and Frimpong’s stirring voice. With it’s snaking sax melodies and Latin rhythms the whole record has a lovely relaxed feel to it, but the pace picks up on closer “Susu Dwa W’Anum,” which barrels along on a bed of tight percussion and playful keys.