Ghana Special — Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Ghanian Blues 1968-81

Every time another collection of rock-inspired music is uncovered in some obscure corner of the world, we westerners are given more proof we don't hold the patent on amazing, timeless music.

Sure, without the likes of Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry and Fats Waller, there might not be Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones or Elton John, but neither can we neglect the impact the likes of Desmond Dekker, Fela Kuti or Mariam Makeba had on their respective musical spheres of influence.

Here's yet another collection of Afro-beat (and associated sub-genres as described in the compilation's lengthy title) that both mesmerizes and astounds. Soundway Records have outdone themselves producing a double CD set of some of the most important Ghanaian artists from that west African nation's golden era of recording. This release is a companion piece to 2007's Nigeria Special.

The music at times defies description. The gamut of the material covered on this 33-track release runs from Caribbean-tinged material complete with a full brass section (Ebo Taylor's "Twer Nyame") to traditional African sounds of high-pitched guitars and West-African patois (Kyeremateng Atwede & The Kyeremateng Stars' sentimental "I Go Die For You").

The folk-inspired slow-grooved sound of T.O. Jazz, the soulful taste of Sawaaba Soundz, and the percussive power of The Wellis Band add to the musical variety of the release. The Cutlass Dance Band channel a bunch of those Nuggets psych bands through some hot Ghanaian club speakers on "HweHwe Mu Yi Mpena," while Les Barbecues' "Aaya Lolo" brilliantly cops the signature guitar riff from Santana's "Black Magic Woman."

The work of Christy Azuma + Uppers International is of special interest. It's one of the first times a female vocalist with a backing Afro-beat band has been included in one of these best-of nation collections. Azuma's lilting vocals on "Din Ya Sugri" shine above a subtle yet driven beat, coming close to matching the sound and style of the continent's master artist, Nigeria's Fela Kuti.

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