The Rough Guide to Highlife

Album Description
Highlife music conjures images of African nightclubs, shiny dance floors, Champagne, fine clothes, and the spirit of hope and expectation that marked the end of the Colonial era. The heyday of highlife was in the 1960s and 1970s, and the name describes and defines the popular guitar-led dance music of West Africa, primarily from Ghana and Nigeria. The Rough Guide to Highlife surveys this vibrant scene, featuring classic tracks of the era and the biggest artists in the genre.

The Rough Guide to Highlife,Various Artists,World Music Network,Afro-Pop,Highlife,Int'l & World Music,Pop,World Beat Collections,World Music

Average customer rating: great dance music of a bygone era A Wonderful Collection

The Rough Guide to the Music of Nigeria and Ghana Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music Ghana | Africa | International | Styles | Music Nigeria | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Africa | Compilations | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Africa | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Rough Guide to Music of Mali and Guinea Rough Guide to Congolese Soukous The Rough Guide to the Music of Senegal and Gambia Rough Guide to Marrabenta Mozambique Classic Highlife ASIN: B00005Y48M Release Date: 2002-03-04

Tracks:

1. Okin Omo Ni (The King Of The Children) - I.K. Dairo
2. Maa Jo - King Sunny Ade & His Afican Beats
3. Funky Hi-Life - C.K. Mann
4. Asiko - Tony Allen
5. Neribalankina - Captain Yaba
6. Fuji Shuffle - Adewale Ayuba
7. Bra Ohoho - E.K. Nyame
8. Joromi/Monkey Yanga - Sir Victor Uwaifo
9. Day By Day - E.T. Mensah
10. Matutu Mirika - Eric Agyeman
11. Oyolima - Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe
12. Fakye Me - Sweet Talks
13. Baawo - Amanzeba Nat Brew

Amazon.com

With 400 ethnic groups in Nigeria alone, The Rough Guide to the Music of Nigeria & Ghana (from the Rough Guide series) covers a vast canvas. So it's no wonder--and probably a sensible idea--that Fela Kuti, the Nigerian singer best known in the West, should not be included (on the grounds that his records are ubiquitous anyway). What is included here is dominated by that quintessentially mid-20th-century style known as highlife, best exemplified by its undisputed king E.T. Mensah. With his old-fashioned diction and immense charm, Mensah rides along on a gracefully Westernized instrumental sound. King Sunny Ade, who displaced him (and who was briefly picked up by Western promoters as a potential West African Bob Marley), prefers hard-driving rhythms and clean a cappella choruses. But on this superb CD charm is the key element, with a multitude of variations on local rhythms and instrumental combinations. Check out the two-string gourd molo, as played with brilliant panache by Captain Yaba; or revel in some of West Africa's best-loved party tracks, including those by C.K. Mann and Eric Agyeman. There's up-to-the-minute stuff from expatriate bands in America, and a wonderfully atmospheric gig with the most recent highlife king, Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe. --Michael Church

Customer Reviews:

great dance music of a bygone era.......2006-04-24

If I ever had to entertain guests who didn't speak a common language with me, one of the first things i'd think of doing would be to play this CD.

This is one of the grooviest and funkiest records out there, assimilating African rhythms, blaring horns, and waa pedals into the form of Afrobeat, Highlife, and Fuji music.

I liked this record so much that it inspired a trip to Ghana. But this is really the music of a bygone era- good luck finding *any* of the tracks or bands on this CD anywhere else- even in Ghana! I couldn't even find a record by the 'king of highlife', ET Mensah, on Amazon. Economic and political circumstances forced most of these musicians abroad, and those highlife musicians that do remain in Ghana play unpaid gigs in gospel churches (which are dance halls in their own right).

To best appreciate this record, you've got to play it at high volume. Some highlights include "Funky Hi-Life," "Maa Jo," and "Joromi."

A Wonderful Collection.......2004-05-20

No single CD can adequately represent the abundance and diversity of artists and musical styles that have emerged from Nigeria over the past fourty-plus years. However, if you are curious about Highlife, Juju, Fuji, Afrofunk, etc. (or African music in general), this compilation is for you. The Rough Guides, in general, are well-researched, informative and nicely packaged and help listeners to further explore the artists featured on their collections. There are some glaring omissions, however. Fela Kuti is not represented, but luckily his longtime drummer Tony Allen is on the excellent "Asiko". Also, Juju pioneer Chief Commander Ebineezer Obey is missing in action. So is Prince Nico. But as I said, the music of Nigeria is so vast, that it is inevitable that many deserving artists will be left out.

Average customer rating:

The Rough Guide to Highlife Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Compilations | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Classic Highlife The Rough Guide to the Music of Nigeria and Ghana Rough Guide to Congolese Soukous SALUTE TO HIGHLIFE PIONEERS The Rough Guide to the Music of Central Asia ASIN: B000086BA5 Release Date: 2003-02-10

Tracks:

1. Igede - Celestine Ukwu
2. Ka Anyi Jikota
3. Ekombi - Ramblers Dance Band
4. Bosoe - Joe Mensah
5. Guitar Boy - Victor Uwaifo and His Titibitis
6. Bone Biara So Wo Akatua - African Brothers, Nana Kwame Ampadu
7. Asare - Alex Konadu
8. Esonta
9. Medzi Medzi
10. Omo Pupa - Victor Abimbola Olaiya
11. Ohia Asoma Wo - King Onyina
12. Bere Bote - Rex Lawson
13. Agyeman Baidoo
14. Binu Binu - Orlando Julius
15. Hilife Time - George Darko

Album Description

Highlife music conjures images of African nightclubs, shiny dance floors, Champagne, fine clothes, and the spirit of hope and expectation that marked the end of the Colonial era. The heyday of highlife was in the 1960s and 1970s, and the name describes and defines the popular guitar-led dance music of West Africa, primarily from Ghana and Nigeria. The Rough Guide to Highlife surveys this vibrant scene, featuring classic tracks of the era and the biggest artists in the genre.

Average customer rating: Excellent introduction to Marrabenta music!

Rough Guide to Marrabenta Mozambique Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Africa | Compilations | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Africa | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Rough Guide to the Music of Nigeria and Ghana Rough Guide to Music of Mali and Guinea The Rough Guide to the Music of Senegal and Gambia Rough Guide to Congolese Soukous The Rough Guide to the Music of Central Asia ASIN: B00005A8JX Release Date: 2001-10-08

Tracks:

1. Maria Teresa - Dilon Djindji
2. Matilde - Orchestra Marrabenta Star De Mocambique
3. Mahanhela - Mabulu
4. U Yo Mussiya Kwini - Ghorwane
5. Othiawene - Eyuphuro
6. Anghena Bava Mula - Alberto Mula
7. Rosa - Francisco Mahecuane
8. Tchela Kuwomile - Mario Ntimane
9. Xigevengu - Wazimbo
10. Shywelele - Antonio Marcos
11. Sumbhulany - Arakas Band
12. Africa - Nene
13. Marrabenta - Gito Baloi
14. Elisa Gomara Saia - Orchestra Marrabenta Star De Mocambique
15. Hlamalane - Lisboa Matavel

Customer Reviews:

Excellent introduction to Marrabenta music!.......2001-08-18

Every song is a gem! This compilation has contagious melodies coming from the earlypioneers of marrabenta to the more comtemporary artists. Ialready have CD's of Ghorwane,Eyuphuro,and Orchestra MarrabentaStar which the Rough Guide pickedfine examples of their music.Of all the songs present, I especially loved the soulfulvoice of Wazimbo's "Xigevengu".This CD is a "must have" in appreciating the music of Mozambique.

Average customer rating: Essential Nice intro to W. African music

The Rough Guide to West African Music Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music Ghana | Africa | International | Styles | Music Guinea | Africa | International | Styles | Music Mali | Africa | International | Styles | Music Senegal & Gambia | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Africa | Compilations | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Africa | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B00000B6SK Release Date: 1995-11-21

Tracks:

1. Foliba
2. Djelika
3. Roucky
4. Toro
5. M'Bot
6. Djama Kaissoumou
7. I Ka Di Nye
8. 205
9. Utru Horas
10. Almamy Bocoum
11. Mauritania My Beloved Country
12. Agne Anko

Customer Reviews:

Essential.......2003-06-20

This is the perfect introduction to West African music. Some of the songs are absolutely captivating (Oumou Sangare and Ali Farka Toure especially). Brilliantly sourced album.

Nice intro to W. African music.......2002-03-20

This CD was my first exposure to West African music. Surprise! They aren't limited to bongo drums and acapella chants! I've fallen in love with several of the songs on this CD, and so have my children. We are now tracking down and collecting the CD's of the artists we enjoyed most! Great variety.

Average customer rating:

Rough Guide to West African Music Various Artists ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music Ghana | Africa | International | Styles | Music Guinea | Africa | International | Styles | Music Mali | Africa | International | Styles | Music Senegal & Gambia | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Africa | Compilations | International | Styles | Music ASIN: B000A29F9A Release Date: 2002-02-19

Tracks:

1. Foliba (Mali) - Super Rail Band
2. Djelika (Mali) - Toumani Diabat
3. Roucky (Mali) - Ali Farka Tour
4. Toro [Niger]
5. M'Bore (Guinea) - Sona Diabate
6. Djama Kaissoumou (Mali) - Oumou Sangare
7. I Ka Di Nye (Mali) - Bajourou
8. 205 (Ghana) - E.T. Mensah
9. Utru Horas (Senegal) - Orchestra Baobab
10. Almamy Bocoum (Senegal) - Mansour Seck
11. Mauritania My Beloved Country - Dimi Mint Abba, Dimi Mint Abba, Khalifa Ould Eide,
12. Agne Anko (Guinea) - Kante Manfila

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