De Frank Kakra (Togo/1979)

De Frank Kakra was born in Togo but he recorded a lot in Ghana. With his De Frank Professionals band he had been early produced in Ivory Coast by the SID (Ivory Coast records society) in 1978, with his "Jamaican sound". Here is a nice highlife title recorded in 1979. Thank's Digging For Gold.

De frank Kakra est né au Togo mais il a beaucoup enregistré au Ghana. Avec sa formation, les De Frank Professionals, il s'est d'abord fait produire en 1978 par la Société Ivoirienne du Disque avec son "Jamaican Sound". J'aime beaucoup le titre highlife suivant, enregistré en 1979. Merci Digging For Gold.

K. FRIMPONG & His Cubano Fiestas (Ghana/1980)

Another great album shared by Ogoun Ferraille again. Thank you a thousand times to him.

K.Frimpong recorded this album backed by the Cubanos Fiesta was edited in 1980 on Polydor's label. This album is composed of beautiful highlife and 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...

oro

Autre album sublime partagé encore par Ogoun Ferraille. Merci mille fois à lui.

K.Frimpong enregistre cet album avec l'orchestre The Cubanos Fiesta en 1980 sur le label Polydor. L'album est riche de rythmes highlife et afrobeat. Vous pourrez noter que le morceau "Nye Mea" est un remake de "Kyenkyen Bi Adi Mawu". Album très intéressant  Pour finir avec Alhaji K.Frimpong, sachez qu'il est décédé en 2005. Que âme et sa musique reposent en paix.

K. FRIMPONG & VIS-A-VIS (Ghana/1978)

Here is this the seriously rare album shared by Ogoun Ferraille. Thank you to him.
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.

oro

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.
 

Gasmilla (Ghana/2014)

I can't help sharing this awesome piece: "Boosha" from ghanaian emperor of Azonto rhythm. No more "Coupé-décalé" or other modern soukous rhythms, finally an african rhythm that can be exported outside the continent. Booshaaaaa.

Je ne peux m’empêcher de partager ce morceau génial: "Boosha" de Gasmilla, artiste ghanéen et empereur du rythme Azonto. Fini le "coupé décalé" ou autre soukous, enfin un rythme africain qui peut s'exporter en dehors du continent. Booshaaaaa.

BLACK SANTIAGOS Led by Ignace de Souza (Ghana/1965)

Pretty old record of the Black Santiagos led by beninese trumpet player Ignace de Souza and recorded in Ghana in 1965. "Pretty Little Angel"is a twist rhythm and "Augustina" is a highlife. 

oro

Sacré vieux vinyl des Black Santiagos, avec pour chef d'orchestre le trompettiste béninois Ignace de Souza, et enregistré au Ghana en 1965.

STANISLAS TOHON & VIS-A-VIS BAND (1979)

This album is a masterpiece. Totally afrobeat taken from traditional tchinkoume rhythm of Benin that Stanislas Tohon wonderfully modernized. Recorded in Côte d'Ivoire and prroduced by famous Papa Disco, the orchestration, the arrangements and especially the density of the recording make this record unique. It is also very rare and hard to find.

All the songs are good, there is nothing to throw. The new version of "Yallow", that Sam Fan Thomas made known abroad, is completely successful.

Cet album est un chef d'oeuvre. Totalement afrobeat et imprégné du rythme tchinkoumé béninois que Stanislas Tohon a su merveilleusement moderniser. Produit par le plus grand producteur de l'époque en Afrique de l'Ouest, Papa Disco, l'orchestration, les arrangements et surtout la densité de l'enregistrement en font un disque unique et très difficile à trouver.
Tous les morceaux sont bons, il n'y a rien à jeter. La nouvelle version de "Yallow" (que Sam Fan Thomas a fait connaitre à l'international) est totalement aboutie.

EBO TAYLOR, PAT THOMAS & SUPER SOUNDS (Ghana/1981)

Here is a great record to start 2013. In this album, recorded in Togo in 1981 under Super Sounds' name, is featuring the two biggest stars of Ghana: Pat Thomas and Ebo Taylor. This record is rare but known for its wonderful aofrobeat piece: "Yes Indeed".

Ebo Taylor is a figure in Ghana Highlife music. His career reflects his artistic vitality. During the 50s and 60s, after the explosion of pioneers highlife bands like E.T. Mensa, Taylor became a figure of this movement, beginning with bands like Stargazers and Broadway Dance Band. Highlife music appeared to Ghana in the 20s, it was born from the meeting of portugese guitars, western brass bands, african rhythms, american big bands and carribean styles like calypso. Thus in the mid-70s and 80s, Ebo Taylor recorded a number of solo projects, exploring unique fusions and borrowing elements from traditional Ghanian sounds, Fela's afrobeat, to jazz, soul and funk.

oro 

Voici un excellent disque pour commençer l'année 2013. Dans cet album enregistré au Togo en 1981 sous le nom de "Super Sounds", figurent les deux plus grandes stars du Ghana: Pat Thomas et Ebo Taylor. Cet album est rare mais connu pour son redoutable morceau afrobeat: "Yes Indeed".

Ebo Taylor est une des figures de la musique Highlife au Ghana. Son parcours témoigne de sa vitalité artistique. Pendant les années 50 et 60, après l’explosion des orchestres de highlife pionniers comme E.T. Mensah, Taylor est devenu une figure de ce courant en se faisant les dents avec des grands groupes comme les Stargazers et le Broadway Dance Band. Courant apparu au Ghana dans les années 20, le highlife est né de la rencontre des guitares portugaises, des fanfares occidentales, des rythmes africains, des big bands américains et des styles caraïbes comme le calypso. Ainsi, au milieu des années 70 et 80, Ebo Taylor enregistre un certain nombre de projets solo, explorant des fusions uniques et empruntant des éléments de sons ghanéens traditionnels, de l’afrobeat de Fela, de jazz, de soul et de funk.

CLASSIC VIBES (Ghana/1979)

Reggae post and edition on label Tropiques Satel with a Ghanaian reggae band, Classic Vibes, who recorded this album in Benin in 1979. I personally like the track "The Way of Jah", beautifully sad and joyful. Thank's to Ken Yatta here is a biography of Kojo Antwi, leader of Classique Vibes:

oro

Courrier reggae et changement de style sur le label Tropiques Satel avec un groupe de reggae Ghanéen, Classic Vibes, qui a enregistré cet album au Bénin en 1979. J'aime personnellement le morceau "The Way of Jah", joliment triste et allègre. Grace à Ken Tatta voici une biographie en anglais de Kojo Antwi, leader des Classique Vibes.

KOJO ANTWI

Ghana's international music superstar, Kojo Antwi, keeps pushing the limits of his achievements higher and higher. His recent performance "Shut Down" New York City. The Edward Grant Highway was closed temporarily in order to accomodate his audience. It all happend when a concert hall in the "Capital of the world", New York City, could not accomodate thousands of ticket holders to Kojo Antwi's LIVE SHOW. According to some newspaper reports this group of music lovers were "the largest ever seen at any Ghanaian gathering." He was also dubbed as the number one crowd pulling, best selling music artist in Ghana today. In a similar performance at London's Brixton Academy he brought the house down with his of style of music. Audience responses have been phenomenally glowing with other Europen countries such as Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Germany and Scandinavian countries. As an award winning international performer Kojo Antwi's CD's top the charts weeks after they are released. Mother Africa, his latest album sold 200,000 copies of cassettes weeks after it hit the markets.

Kojo started his career with the Boomtalents in 1977. A year later the Classique Handels was formed. Their superb performances took them to Cote d'Ivoire, Niger, Bokina Faso, Benin and Togo. The group inspired a artiste like Alpha Blonde who late made it big time. The group late changed its name to Classic Vibes, and went on an invitation tour of Denmark, to perform at the famous Afro Festival alongside renowned artistes from England, and Jamaica, including the legendary reggae star Bob Marley's wife Rita Marley. At the end of it all, Classique Vibes was adjudged the best group.

Ghana's international music superstar, Kojo Antwi, keeps pushing the limits of his achievements higher and higher. His recent performance "Shut Down" New York City. The Edward Grant Highway was closed temporarily in order to accomodate his audience. It all happend when a concert hall in the "Capital of the world", New York City, could not accomodate thousands of ticket holders to Kojo Antwi's LIVE SHOW. According to some newspaper reports this group of music lovers were "the largest ever seen at any Ghanaian gathering." He was also dubbed as the number one crowd pulling, best selling music artist in Ghana today. In a similar performance at London's Brixton Academy he brought the house down with his of style of music. Audience responses have been phenomenally glowing with other Europen countries such as Belgium, Holland,

Switzerland, Germany and Scandinavian countries. As an award winning international performer Kojo Antwi's CD's top the charts weeks after they are released. Mother Africa, his latest album sold 200,000 copies of cassettes weeks after it hit the markets.

Kojo started his career with the Boomtalents in 1977. A year later the Classique Handels was formed. Their superb performances took them to Cote d'Ivoire, Niger, Bokina Faso, Benin and Togo. The group inspired a artiste like Alpha Blonde who late made it big time. The group late changed its name to Classic Vibes, and went on an invitation tour of Denmark, to perform at the famous Afro Festival alongside renowned artistes from England, and Jamaica, including the legendary reggae star Bob Marley's wife Rita Marley. At the end of it all, Classique Vibes was adjudged the best group.

The End ?

Oro ne sera jamais mort.

On peut censurer la musique mais pas les mots,

Oro n'est pas mort, il est le souffle des ancêtres.

Oro will never be dead.

They can censor music but not words,

Oro is not dead, he is the breath of ancestors.

Pour survivre aujourd'hui, voici le souffle du Ghana. J'ai trouvé des extraits de ces trois albums sur Ebay. Je n'ai pas noté le nom du vendeur de ces disques mais j'espère qu'il se reconnaitra pour que je puisse le remercier. 

To survive today, here is the breath of Ghan. I found those rips on Ebay. I did not notice the seller's name so I hope he will recognize so that I may thank him.

RIM AKANDOH & HIS PRINCE SPARROWS BAND (1979)

Rim Akondoh est un artiste de highlife méconnu. Il est était connu à son époque pour être un redoutable chanteur sur scène.

EXECUTIVE 012 (side 1)

Rim Akondoh is one of the forgotten classic highlife musicians in Ghana. In this days, he was a crowd puller at concerts in Ghana.

OBIBA COLLINS & HIS SUPER STARS (1981)

Obiba Collins est connu pour avoir joué, comme bassiste et percussionniste, avec Fela Ransome Kuti.

SFLP 2001 (side1)

Obiba Collins used to play bass and percussion with Fela Ransome Kuti.

PAT THOMAS

Cet album enregistré sur le label GAPOPHONE est très rare. Voici la Face B, "One More Time"  un bijoux highlife chanté en anglais.

GAPO LP 773  (side2)

This rare album was recorded on the label Gapophone. I only have Side B ("One More Time") a jewelry highlife sung in english.

Mawuli Decker (Ghana, 1983)

Mawuli Decker a veteran composer, arranger and singer from Aveme Danyigba in the Volta region of Ghana leaves no stone unturned on his way to the top. The result of this is a smashing hit "Julie Dzogbese" released in 1975. After tasting big bands sounds with Caprice and New Planets Dance Bands, The Top and Volta Pioneers Dance Band. He set off on a tour some African countries a sprat of his laurels to achieve international recognition.

Today a step in the name of Ayo Special is taken. If this album fails to book Mawuli Decker a seat by your side, then you are yet to book one for yourself.

Vieux routier dans le domaine musical, Mawuli Decker, est originaire de Aveme Danyigba de la région Volta du Ghana. Auteur, compositeur, arrangeur et chanteur, en dépit des difficultés auxquelles sont confrontés les artistes de son genre, Mawuli tient à atteindre le sommet. Le fruit de cette persévérance est le disque émouvant "Julie Dzogbesse" paru en 1975. Travaillant d'arrache-pied avec Caprice et New Planets Dance Bands, Mawuli Decker devient le leader de Dzobi Sounds, Sawaba Sounds, The Tops et Volta Pioneers Dance bands.

Si Aujourd'hui, par "Ayo Special", Mawuli Decker n'arrive pas à vous émouvoir, là vous aurez à vous blâmer vous-même.

oro

Sammy Cropper & His Wire Connections (Ghana, 1978)

Toujours sur le même label Américain Makossa Records, la suite logique du précédent courrier sur le redoutable orchestre Vis-A-Vis Dance Band, avec un album signé par son grand guitariste Sammy Cropper. Sur cet album figure aussi le fameux batteur, Shaolin Kung Fu. Ce disque est comme neuf et vous pouvez l'acheter sur Diaspora Records. Assez parlé, voici le texte qui figure sur la pochette arrière du disque, et qui dit tout:

Don't be deceived by this album with this Guy Sammy Cropper, as the founder and leader of the Wire Connections group. He is still with the versatile Vis-A-Vis Dance Band. This is just a trying of his experience.

Sammy Cropper started playing the guitar in his elementary school days. By secondary and technical levels he was very good at it, and would entertain his contemporaries during free time.

He joined the Cubano Fiesta when he left school and remained with it for one year leaving to join the Supreme Starlight Band for the next five years, and from which he formed the versatile Vis-A-Vis.

oro

VIS-A-VIS BAND

Vis-a-Vis band is composed by the finest ghanaian musicians: Isaac Yeboha, the lead-singer, bassist Slim Yaw, Kunh Fu Kwaku drummer and Sam Crooper guitarist who will be the subject of another post. (Vis-a-Vis with K.Frimpong can be found HERE).

The album today is a 1980 re-release on american label Makossa Records of the great album "Obi Agye Dofo Me" recorded in 1977 on the ghanaian label Brobisco Records. Only two tracks on side 2 have been replaced by unknown pieces "Mere Beba Me" and "Medofo Gyina Nkwanta". If anyone can tell what album these two titles belong. I think "Medofo..." has been sang by Alex Konadu. Anyway the record is in a perfect shape, enjoy the sound...

oro

L'orchestre Vis-a-Vis est composé d'un redoutable quatuor: Isaac Yeboha le leader et chanteur, Slim Yaw le bassiste, Kung Fu Kwaku le batteur et Sam Crooper le guitariste, qui fera l'objet d'un autre courrier. (Vis-a-Vis et K.Frimpong peuvent être consulté ICI).

L'album présenté aujourd'hui est une re-sortie, sur le label américain Makossa records, de l'album "Obi Agye Me Dofo" enregistré en 1977 sur le label ghanéen Brobisco Records. Seuls deux titres de la Face B de l'album ont été remplacé par des morceaux inconnus pour moi. Si quelqu'un peut dire à quel album appartiennent ces deux ovnis: "Me Mere Beba" et "Medofo Gyina Nkwanta". Il me semble que "Medofo..." a été déjà été chanté par Alex Konadu. En tout cas, le disque est en excellente qualité, appréciez le son...

Ebo Taylor & Kwabena Afadzie: Gapohones Various Bands

This is a very nice album recorded in 1977 on Gapohone label. Ebo Taylor was musical director on this label and produced many artists like Kwabena Afadzie who composed the fabulous and deep "Wongyae Me Mu". I would love to know more about these "Gapophone various bands", if someone knows...

Voici un excellent album enregistré en 1977 sur le label Gapophone. Ebo Taylor était directeur musical du label et a produit de nombreux artistes tel que Kwabena Afadzie qui a composé le profond  et lour morceau "Wongyae Me Mu". J'aimerai beaucoup en savoir plus sur ces "Variés Orchestres Gapophone", si quelqu'un sait

This is Marijata & Osibisaba

A new blog appeared in August, devoted to Ghanaian music. I invite you to discover Osibisaba and one of its post about  Marijata. Ghana, Cameroon, Congo, Benin, blogs specify, for happiness of all.

Un nouveau blog est apparu au mois d'Août, consacré à la musique Ghanéenne. Je vous invite donc à  découvrir Osibisaba ainsi que ce superbe album de Marijata. Ghana, Cameroun, Congo, Bénin, les blogs se spécifient, pour le bonheur de tous.

Marijata & Osibisaba

Marijata was a group of three members, Addison 'Electric' Kofi on guitar, Bob Fischian on the organ and Nat Osmanu also on guitar. They were formed in the heart of the band the Sweet Beans with the young singer, guitarist Pat Thomas. Marijata were, according to their notes pockets, "attempting to bring some freshness and the return of Raw Funk" in their recordings. Their first LP: "This is Marijata", on the Gapophone label, is pure Funk Rawest Africa. Gapophone Records was a label founded by a young producer, Mr. George Appiah Prah, after his return from London where he lived for a period. Marijata has to his credit only two LPs on Gapophone but so essentialfor any collector of vinyl Afro Funk.

Marijata étaient un groupe de trois membres, Addison 'Électrique' Kofi à la guitare, Bob Fischian sur l'orgue et Nat Osman à la guitare. Ils ont été formé au cœur de l'orchestre les Sweet Beans dont le jeune chanteur, guitariste, Pat Thomas fesait parti. Marijata, selon leurs notes de pochettes, "essayaient d'apporter une certaine fraîcheur et le retour du "Raw Funk" dans leurs enregistrement Ghanéen des années 70. "This is Marijata" sur le label Gapophone, est du pur son Funk Rawest Africa. Gapophone Records était un label fondé par un jeune producteur, Mr. George Appiah Prah après son retour de Londres où il a vécu pendant une période. Marijata a donc à son actif seulement deux LP sur Gapophone mais tellement essentiels pour tout collectionneur de vinyls Afro Funk.

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.

-Obi Agye Me Dofo

-Kankyema Ntoaso Ne Awadee

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...

-Aboagyeawaa

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:

-Kyenkyen Bi Adi Mawu

-Gyae Mensu

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...

-Me Yee Owu Den

-Nye Mea

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

oro

Safohene Djeni (Ghana)

The background to Safehini Djeni's music career is dated as far back as the sixties when he joined T.D. Quarcoo's Guitar Band, where he learnt to play the guitar. As variety is the spice of life, he later joined guitar bands like Akompi, Okukuseku N°1, Ahamano's and later Nyame Bekyere Band led by ace actor Seaboy J.N. Ebroni and feature prominently as lead guitarist and vocalist and also composer of their hit tune "Nyame Bekyere".

Safohene Djeni fit les gloires des grands orchestres tels que Akompi, Okukuseku N°1, Ahamano et Nyame Bekeyeke Band dans le quel évolue la grande star J.N. Ebroni. Il fit sa place comme guitariste mais aussi comme chanteur et compositeur, notamment du fameux titre "Nyame Bkyere".

oro

Pozo Hayes feat. Ignace de Souza & Danialou Sagbohan (Ghana/1985)

This first album from Pozo Hayes was edited by Satel and recorded in Benin in 1985. Ignace de Souza is on trumpet and Danialou Sagbohan on drums. Here is the story of Pozo Hayes:

As a little boy growing up in Kaneshie, Nana Boake Ofori Atta, a.k.a Pozo Hayes, could not go out to play like other children. Virtually grounded by polio at the age of three, he founded companionship in radio set. His father, Aaron Kofi Asante Ofori Atta, the last Speaker of parliament in Nkrumah regime bought him a wheelchair when he was about to start school. The right armrest of that chair became the drum with which he supported his singing of trendy pop tunes at school.

At the beginning of his career, the promoter of Satel Editions invited him in Cotonou, Benin. Pozo Hayes elected to do the trip with Classic Handels and the gig was great. He recorded his firts album "Looking Over There" and since then, he has not looked back and can boast of eight albums to his name.

oro

Sicko Appiah & Orchestre Black Santiago (1972)

I especially like the diversity and quality of Prodcution Satel and its tropical records. Here the number 60 with the great Black Santiago and unknown singer Sicko Appiah. On those highlife tunes Sickoh sings in Akan language from Ghana. I guess so he is Ghanaian. If any knows him, manifest yourself. This EP was probably released in 1971. By the way, Sagbohan is playing battery.

oro

J'aime particulièrement la diversité et la qualité des Productions Satel et ses disques tropicaux. Voici le numéro 60 avec le grand Black Santiago et un chanteur inconnu, Sicko Appiah. Sur ces morceaux de highlife, il chante en langue Akan du Ghana. Je suppose don qu'il est Ghanéen. Si quelqu'un le connait, qu'il se manifeste. Ce 45 tours est vraisemblablement sorti en 1972. Au fait, Sagbohan est à la batterie.

MARIJATA (Pat Thomas Introduces Marijata)

Born in 1951 in Kumasi, Ghana, the highlife vocalist, Pat Thomas, made his name with his band the Sweet Beans. He began his carreer in 1969 with the Broadway Dance Band, leaving a year later to join the Uhuru Dance Band. Then he played with Ebo Taylor's Blue Monks and finally formed the Sweet Beans in 1973. They released "Faise Lover" in 1974, then split and-reformed as Marijata, releasing Marijata and Pat Thomas Introduces Marijata. What a story to resume this rare and famous album that can be sold more than one thousand dollar.

oro

Né en 1951 à Kumasi, Ghana, le chanteur de highlife, Pat Thomas, s'est fait connaître avec son groupe les Sweet Beans. Il commençe sa carrière en 1969 avec l'orchestre Broadway Dance Band, et rejoint un an plus tard la formation Uhuru Dance Band. Puis il accompagne Ebo Taylor et ses Blue Monks pour enfin créer l'orchestre Sweet Beans en 1973. Ils sortent l'album "Faise Lover" en 1974, se séparent pour se reformer sous le nom de Marijata et le célèbre album Marijata et Pat Thomas introduit Marijata. Tout une histoire pour parler de ce rare et fameux vinyle qui peut atteindre une valeur de plus de mille Euros.

Ignace de Souza & The Melody Aces (Ghana, 1962)

Those words are perfect to speak about Ignace de Souza who is best known for his Ghanaian Highlife, even though he was originally from Benin and played eclectic musical styles. In addition to Highlife, his diverse musical repertoire included the Cha Cha, Twist and Afrobeat. Ignace de Souza's major legacy is that he introduced Ghana to that which would be known as Soukous. De Souza's began in Ghana during the 1950's with The Shambros Band, then with The Melody Aces and The Black Santiago. The famous singer from the Broadway Dance Band, Joss Aikins, who played at the Independence Ball, is singing on this 1962's recording.

Ignace de Souza est plus connu comme chanteur de Highlife au Ghana que chanteur éclectique du Bénin. Mais il était aussi connu pour jouer du Cha Cha, du Twist; pour avoir créer l'Afrobeat avec Fela, pour avoir importer le Soukouss au Ghana, et enfin pour être un des meilleurs trompetiste d'Afrique de l'Ouest, rien que ça... De Souza se fit connaitre au Ghana, durant les années 50, avec le groupe Shambros Band, puis durant les années 60s avec les Melody Aces et enfin avec le fameux Black Santiago. Le célèbre chanteur de l'orchestre Broadway Dance Band, Joss Aikins, qui anima la fête de l'indépendance, chante sur cet enregistrement de 1962.