K. FRIMPONG (Ghana/1977-78)


It seems that my last post about K. Frimpong has been enjoyed by a lot of people. Here is a deeper trip into Alhaji 's afrobeat. It is quite difficult to find informations about him and his bands but I'll try to do my best. I would like to thank "Ogoun Ferraille" ("Ogun Scrap") who offered this great selection of titles.


In the mid-70s, K.Frimpong recorded with two orchestras simultaneously. Let's begin with the Vis-A-Vis band. The first album was recorded in 1977 on the label Probisco Records (KBL 068). It has been reissued later on Makossa International Records (MA 7076). One of the best Vis-A-Vis album.






Vis-A-Vis was led by Isaac Yeboah, based in Kumasi and featuring some of the Ghana's finest musicians of the 70's: Sammy Cropper on lead guitar, Slim Yaw on bass and Kung-fu Kwaku on drums. This other album with Vis-A-Vis was recorded in 1978 on the label Ofori Brothers. Have pleasure...





The other Frimpong's backing band was The Cubano Fiestas. In fact, Vis-A-Vis is the same band as the Cubano Fiestas except different members like George Amissah who plays Saxo alto, George Abunah (sax ténor) and Arthur Kennedy (trompette). These three guys were used to play with Ebo Taylor. I would like to thank Cyril from Afrofever for those additional informations.



The first recording seems to be from 1977, still on the label Ofori Brothers. We all know this album because of the famous title "Kyenkyen Bi Adi Mawu" which made Frimpong become an international and respected artist. Here are two melancholyc diamonds:








The other album recorded with the Cubano Fiestas was edited in 1980 on Polydor's label. Those two titles are again two wonderful afrobeat tunes. As you may notice, the title "Nye Mea" is a remake of "Kyenkyen Bi Adi Mawu". Very interesting piece. To finish, Alhaji K. Frimpong passed away in 2005. Long life to his music and soul...


-Nye Mea


Another great album recorded with The Cubanos Fiestas. One of the best I think. Mounted by afrobeat 's god.



21 comments:

  1. dolf motzSeptember 4, 2010 at 1:19 AM

    Great post oro!!! Frimpong is one of my favorites.
    Makossa Original

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  2. reservatorySeptember 4, 2010 at 7:11 AM

    THANKS for these! Never a dull moment...

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  3. calumbinhoSeptember 4, 2010 at 11:30 AM

    I'm definitely among the many K. Frimpong fans. Thank you for hosting him again in your blog, and particularly for "Nye Mea" (a remake of Kyenken Bi Adi Mawu, right?), which I don't think had ever shown up on any cd comp or blog.

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  4. trumpetaaaSeptember 4, 2010 at 8:01 PM

    many thanks for these great frimpong tracks

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  5. Feq'wahSeptember 5, 2010 at 1:15 AM

    An unbelievable wonderful blog! So many quality post, all of them.

    Thanks for the Alhadji! Does anyone actually knows what the K stands for?

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  6. Perrata 2000September 5, 2010 at 4:38 AM

    Holly Molly... Candela!!!
    Gold man.

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  7. ReeBeeSeptember 5, 2010 at 6:08 PM

    many many thanks!

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  8. ken_yattaSeptember 18, 2010 at 5:08 PM

    Thanks for the information on Frimpong. I never realized that Vis-A-Vis and the Cubano Fiestas were pretty much the same band. Below is the title cut from another album by Frimpong.

    Thanks,

    Ken

    Alhaji K. FRIMPONG AND HIS CUBANO FIESTA
    Mo Tan Me - Am Kontamens Sounds LTD - Gema 1985


    http://www.mediafire.com/?tv5hiao8lbynvp6

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  9. grooVemonzterOctober 7, 2010 at 5:41 PM

    Awesome post. Truly stupendous. Thank you a million. Cheers, Cole

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  10. goonDecember 28, 2010 at 4:48 AM

    Any chance of reuploading the albums in this post?

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  11. theshiva3February 25, 2011 at 4:39 AM

    Any chance of you re uploading the two Vis-a-Vis LP's you listed under the K.Frimpong post? I saw that link and almost shit myself till I realized they were all dead :(
    A sad mirage to come across. I have "agye me do fo" but it's the Makossa edition that actually has a different track listing on side two. Never heard of the "Kankyema Ntoaso Ne Awadee" LP! Would LOVE to check that out! Pretty please :)

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  12. MDFebruary 27, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    Please re-upload this stuff!!! Especially the Vis-a-Vis. Dying to hear that. thanks.

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  13. oroFebruary 27, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    Link is fixed

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  14. goonMay 20, 2011 at 5:52 AM

    K = Kwabena.

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  15. Feq'wahMay 27, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    Thanks goon! :)

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  16. CarneZafiroAugust 14, 2011 at 7:44 AM

    MANY MANY THANKS! Great post!

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  17. UnknownJune 6, 2012 at 4:47 AM

    Great coming across your page. Thanks for posting all the incredible music! Just saw the Marijata post too. Thanks for getting that second LP up. It's a real shame that the Academy folks flaked on the reissue and held that up for so long. Thought that was actually going to happen for a couple years. Some other label really needs to get that album out there for the rest of us to enjoy. Thanks for sharing.

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  18. ushapedDecember 6, 2012 at 11:03 PM

    Dear Oro,

    Any chance of sharing the whole of the "red record"? I really love the opening track "Aboagyewaa" and would love to hear more!

    Thanks and all the best!

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  19. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2014 at 8:28 PM

    this is wonderful music thank you

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  20. AnonymousOctober 11, 2014 at 12:28 PM

    Thanks for the wonderful and informative post. I've had the "Blue Album" for years and always wondered what else was available by these fine artists.

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  21. avocado kidSeptember 8, 2015 at 6:38 AM

    Thanks! More gold!

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