Kalita are proud to unveil the first ever compilation focussing on the phenomenon of ‘Burger Highlife’, a crossover of West African melodies with synthesizers, disco and boogie that took over Ghanaian airwaves during the 1980’s and beyond. Highlighting key recordings from genre-defining artists including Thomas Frempong and George Darko, as well as more obscure sought-after tracks by elusive bands such as Aban and Uncle Joe’s Afri-Beat, Kalita come to the rescue of audiophiles, DJs and music-lovers alike with ‘Borga Revolution!’ Spread over a double-LP housed in a gatefold sleeve. Accompanied by a 16-page booklet featuring extensive interview-based liner notes on each artist and never-before-seen archival photos.

The 1970s had witnessed an increased Western airtime and physical presence in Ghana introducing funk, soul and disco sounds to the region. By the turn of the decade the country was also enduring economic turmoil, with rising poverty, military dictatorships and long periods of enforced curfews (amongst other factors) making it impossible for artists to survive.

As a result, many Ghanaian artists with a broader outlook began to pursue their careers in the West, moving to both Europe and America in search of stardom. It was here that Ghanaian musicians developed a digitised version of highlife music which fully embraced Western contemporary music styles and newly introduced technology such as the DX7 synthesizer and various drum machines.

It is in this context in which the evolution of Ghanaian dance music and the emergence of ‘burger highlife’ was born. With ‘Borga Revolution!’ Kalita endeavour to tell this story, with prominent and lesser-known musicians’ accounts and documentary evidence providing a comprehensive understanding of this shift to the digital age.

Borga Revolution! Ghanaian Dance Music In The Digital Age, 1983 - 1992 (Volume 1)

Obi Abayewa

Buy Here!

D1. George Darko - Obi Abayewa

This rare LP by Yusufu Olatunji, the great master of Yoruba Sakara music from Nigeria, is available for Flac and MP3 download on my blog: 
https://music-republic-world-traditional.blogspot.com/2022/11/nigeria-nigeria-yusufu-olatunji-his.html

Vol. 24 – Zareco ORSL 1717

Nigeria – Yusufu Olatunji – Yoruba Sakara music

Rugendo EP
Artist: Kwame 
Written by: Kwame 
Additional Vocals: Dempsey 
Music by: MG 
Produced by: MG 
Mixed & Mastered by: MG 
NedokaHMusic/WaithakaENT/CNMusic

Mapenzi Yako by Kwame

This terrific 1992 LP by the king of Yoruba Fuji music Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, featuring his magnificent voice, awesome fast-tempoed percussion, Juju guitars and electronic sounds, is available for Flac and MP3 download on my blog:
https://music-republic-world-traditional.blogspot.com/2023/10/nigeria-nigeria-sikiru-ayinde-barrister.html

Nigeria - Sikiru Ayinde Barrister - Fuji Explosion

01. The Big Beats - Mi Nsumoo Bo Donn 
02. Ebo Taylor - Odofo Nnyi Ekyir Biara 
03. Apagya Show Band - Mumude
04. Ogyatanaa Show Band - Ageisheka
05. Cutlass Dance Band - Obiara Wondo
06. Sweet Talks - Kyekye Pe Aware.

1970s Ghana Mix 2 - Afro-Funk & Funky Highlife

The Best of the Classic Years

Ogun Party, Pt. 1

"A selection of Nigerian records brought home from a longer stay in Lagos. The mix of treasures from the 70s till 90s and recorded city sounds reflects on the unforgettable impressions experienced during this time. It is a very personal piece and shared with much love for the hospitality and openness experienced during this stay. Special thanks goes out to Jazzhole, The New Afrika Shrine, Bogobiri and a real friend, Edet Okon, for helping to preserve and to pass on the exceptional musical inheritance of Nigeria" - @moritzrudolf [@awkscl]

Artwork by Gal Sherizly

Track List:
1. Fela Anikulapu Kuti - Intro to V.I.P. Live in Berlin
2. King Sunny Adé and his African Beats - Ope O Ku
3. Prince Nico Mbarga Rocafil Jazz - Wayo Inlaw
4. Dr. Chief Orlando Owoh & his African Kenneries - Ohun ti Oju ri
5. Alhaji (Chief) Prof. Kollington Ayinla and his Fuji '78 Organization - Mo Njade Lo Loni
6. Comfort Omoge and her Asiko Ikale Music - Oyajasoire
7. Chief Ebenezer Obey - Africa Is My Home
8. Alhaji (Chief) Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and his Progressive Fuji Commanders - Family Planning
9. Fela Anikulapo Kuti and The African 70 - Na Poi '75
10. Dr. Orlando Owoh and his Omimah Band - Olorun Eleda Mi/Ma Dele
11. King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal 1 - Power to the People
12. Sonny Okosuns „Ozziddi“ - Festival 
13. Orlando Julius - Ashiko
14. Dr. Chief Orlando Owoh & his African Kenneries - Lagos Women
15. Felix Lebarty - Missing You
16. Background: recordings of Rem Koolhaas' documentary Lagos Wide and Close

2017

Radio Cómeme - 3 Months in Lagos (This Nigeria) mixtape by Moritz Rudolf

King Sunny Ade - Ase [the revolution remix]

”The Highlife Doctor” - 7” minimix with Dr. K. Gyasi and His Noble Kings

Continuing on my exploration to the depths African highlife music this minimix showcases one of the greatest highlife bandleaders and guitarists to date Doctor K. Gyasi and his band The Noble Kings from Ghana. One of the true pioneers of highlife and guitar music in general Kwame Gyasi b.1929 - d.2012 started recording in the 1950’s and had major success in Ghana during the 1960’s and 1970’s and many of his records are considered all-time classics. Gyasi is credited to being one of the first ones that introduced electric organs and horns to highlife bands and creating the Sikyi-highlife style based on the old native rhythms and dance of same name. 
This minimix includes some of my favourite tracks lifted from his 7” singles out of Ghana ranging in styles of deep and chilled highlife to charachara released in the bands prime in 1970’s. 
These songs came out when Gyasi & Noble Kings were one the biggest acts in whole of Ghana and toured the country with their own theatre group performing their signature grand ”highlife opera” to full venues for people to enjoy. 

Tracklist: 
Dankwama
Abrabo
Odo Odo Ye Wu
Nsem Keka Dooso
Maye Nsusan
Mebowua Minnim
Yebere Ma Owuo

"The Highlife Doctor" - 7" minimix with Dr. K. Gyasi And His Noble Kings

More Yoruba music with a focus on Waka (female-led percussion groups) and    Fuji music, the Islamic counterpart to Juju music in Nigeria. 

00:00 Host Intro
00:38 - Batile Alake - Mo Eun Bge Are Mide 
06:01 - Kubura Alaragbo - Adija ti de, Ala so koje, Gbogbo aiye kannu s… 
09:37 - Alhaja Queen Salawa Abeni - Abeni Tun Ti Gbe O Ode Pelu Ara 
12:42 - Alhaji Dauda Epo-Akara Awurebe King - Yi Esere Si Apakan, Pt. 2 
17:08 - Alhaji Dauda Epo Akara & his Awurebe Experts - Tiri-Misi- Riyu - Egbe Ifelodun (Abajan)
21:00 - Alhaji General Kollington Ayinla - Alafia Lo S'agba
33:33 - Alhaji Chief Prof. Kollington Ayinla - E Ye Ika Se 
36:51 - Chief Dr Sikuru Ayinde Barrister - Refined Fuji Garbage 
42:13 - Chief Dr. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister - Fuji Garbage III 
46:48 - Nigeria Fuji Machine - Orin Gidi 
49:05 - Alhaji Chief Wasiu Ayinde Barrister & His Fuji Commander - Talazo System 
53:50 - K1 De Ultimate - Omo Naija
58:40 - Chief Lecturer Easy Kabaka and his Progressive Fuji Organisation - Orin kabaka (shake your body), Ibi ori da'ni si

Episode 92: Fuji, Waka and Awurebe

Musics & politics 🇳🇬 October 1st, 1960. Nigeria celebrates and dances its independence. Fela Kuti shouts : Viva Africa! Freedom High-Life & Pan-African Beats. Music is the weapon. Full Power to the People ✊🏾
📷 Photo credit : Fela Ransome Kuti designed by FRED MARTINS (https://www.pinterest.com/fredmartinx/) 
🎶 Track list - Nigerian artists only (most of songs are taken from vinyls, except * taken from cds) : 
E.C. ARINZE Freedom highlife / E.C. ARINZE Saturday night / FELA RANSOME KUTI &  HIS KOOLA LOBITOS Nigerian independence / FELA RANSOME KUTI & NIGERIA 70 Viva Nigeria / EBENEZER OBEY & HIS INTERNATIONAL BROS. BAND Africa is my home / GERALDO PINO & THE HEARTBEATS Africans must unite / ABIODUN BAKARE & HIS KOBIS BAND Nigeria / BOLA JOHNSON Lagos special / SEGUN BUCKNOR Son of January 15th / PETER KING Freedom dance / SINA BAKARE Africa / KALETA & ZOZO AFROBEAT Get up / CHRISTIANA ESSIEN Freedom / THE APOSTLES Black is beautiful / SONNY OKOSUNS Power to the people / WILLIAM ONYEABOR You better change your mind / JONI HAASTRUP Wake up your mind / FELIXSON NGASIA & THE SURVIVALS Black precious color / DELE ABIODUN Confrontation / SEUN KUTI + FELA'S EGYPT 80 African problems */ BANTU & AYUBA Where di water, where di lighter */ TERRY THA RAPMAN I am a Nigerian */ FEMI KUTI Truth don die */ RED HOT + RIOT Colonial mentality

Nigeria – Yusufu Olatunji – Yoruba Sakara music

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