K. Frimpong - 1976 - K. Frimpong And His Cubano Fiestas

K. Frimpong And His Cubano Fiestas

1976

K. Frimpong And His Cubano Fiestas

01. Kyenkyen Bi Adi M'awu 6:54

02. Gyae Mensu 4:34

03. Yaw Barimah 5:37

04. Susu Ne Won Nka 3:26

05. Baabi A Obi Awuo 4:22

06. Afe Nkyere Ba 5:23

07. Obi Nnim 4:00

08. Koforidua Nsuo 3:48

Recorded At – Ghana Films Studios Accra

Chorus – Anthony Yeboah, Isaac Yeboah

Congas – Yaw Asante

Drums – Kung Fu Kwaku

Flute, Tenor Saxophone – George Amissah

Keyboards – Tommy Doziz

Lead Guitar – Jacob Obae, Slim Yaw Manu

Lead Vocals – M.K. Frimpong

Maracas – Daniel Asare

Rhythm Guitar – Sammy Red Cropper

Trumpet – Arthur Kennedy

This is the group's seminal self-titled LP originally released in Ghana in 1976 but never reissued in it's original form. The leadoff track is the electrifying Kyenkyen Bi Adi M'Awu, the song that made K. Frimpong a star in Ghana. Frimpong's backing band, as on the 1977 LP, is the Ghanaian group Vis a Vis, who also cut great records under their own name.

From the band name, I'd expected an early-'60s style Latin dance-by-way-of-Africa set, but was pleasantly and profoundly surprised by the subtle, multitextured mix of African highlife, reggae and groove music, sounding at times like the Ethiopian groove music of the same era. Ghanaian bandleader Alhaji K. Frimpong produced a real gem here, adding new layers to 1970's African pop, producing an album with a fairly unique sound. Most notable is the open, uncompressed sound mix, in which all the different instruments can be clearly heard, as opposed to many albums where percussion and other instruments give way to more dominant guitars and horns -- here, each note of the drums and percussion hangs in the air, clear as a bell, as do the meandering keyboard riffs, which add a kind of lazy, trancelike feel, and a lighter touch overall. This is nice stuff, and will add a lot to any mix of classic Afro-Pop. Highly recommended!