By John Owoo
(In Accra – Ghana)
Events marking the 2023 edition of World Highlife Day recently ended at the Goethe-Institut with a concert that sent a loud message to the effect that the resurgence of Ghanaian highlife is unstoppable.
Indeed, highlife is witnessing a remarkable rebirth, which is been pioneered by old and young artists who have chosen to pursue highlife music in its authentic form alongside inflections from other genres.
As one of the most acknowledged genres from Ghana and to some extent West Africa, highlife has transformed from palm wine music during the exploits of Koo Nimo to big bands that incorporate American funk and European pop music elements into their compositions.
Two bands – Santrofi and Abiza – which have kept the highlife tradition alive over the past several years, demonstrated a real passion to send this genre of music to the level it deserves through abrupt and frisking rhythms during a notable concert that marked the highlife day.
Energetic percussion, flying guitars, gripping saxophones and trumpets singularly and collectively powered gracefully couched melodies and indigenous songs, which electrified the stage and stupefied the audience.
Led by Emmanuel Ofori (Santrofi) and Akablay (Abiza), the groups displayed a cool fusion of foreign and traditional Ghanaian beats with highlife that amplified the stage while sprightly rhythms from trumpets and trombones filled the night air.
Amidst call-and-response vocals, both groups equally displayed the rudiments of highlife through a vivid mix of palm wine highlife, funk and kundum rhythms from the Western region as they merged tradition and modernity.
Initiated by Akablay, World Highlife Day seeks to celebrate highlife through concerts that showcase new artistic creations, seminars, lectures and workshops.
Goethe-Institut Ghana supported the concert.
I wish I was there to hear the beauty of sound.