Ghana Special 2 - Electronic Highlife And Afro Sounds In The Diaspora 1980-1993

Description

Soundway presents a collection of 18 tracks of highlife, electronic afrobeat, and reggae, illustrating a time when the thriving Ghanaian diaspora across Europe and North America used new musical technologies and recording techniques to produce music. A period of movement, emigration, and innovation.
At the dawn of the 80s, emigration increased following a period of political upheaval in the country, and many Ghanaians settled in Europe - particularly in Germany - to find work. Musicians recording in their home country and abroad began to mix highlife with outside influences, drawing inspiration from American disco and boogie, European new wave, Caribbean zouk, and soca, thus reflecting their new environment and consolidating the musical ties forged in London, Hamburg, Toronto, and New York.
Ghana Special celebrates this key period of musical innovation and cultural exchanges that redefined the parameters of Ghanaian music and accelerated cultural exchanges between West Africa and Europe. The compilation includes rarities from legends such as Pat Thomas, Rex Gyamfi, and Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, as well as deeper tracks from lesser-known artists like Abdul Raheem, Starlite, and The Godfathers.
Includes detailed liner notes and previously unseen photos.