Music And Arts Scene
African Records Review
By Kwabena Asamoah
ΚΑΝΤΑΤΑ 'Asiko' KANTATA: RECORDS OVLP 508) (OVAL Again' 'Side Issue' Duke (Akwankwaa)' 'Killy Me (You're Killing Me)' 'Akpeteshie Special)' / "Asiko' Let's Fall In Love
It's hi-life time again but not from George Darko. This time it comes from practically the same musicians plus some new faces who played various significant roles in making George Darko's music tick. Fronted by Lee Dodou (the singer of singers) together with Sometimer on bass guitar and Amoo Jagger on drums, Kantata became a reality in the early part of this year with three more additions, guitarist Chapori, keyboardist Eddy Sey and saxman Papsoul.What is likely to raise a hell of a debate is Lee Dodou's voice which some people take for George Darko's. The similarity of line of lyrics between George Darko's 'Kaakyire Nua' (also sung by Lee Dodou) and Kantata's 'Duke (Akwankwaa)' is only too obvious. It is nothing strange because all George Darko's songs and those of Kantata are sung by Lee Dodou. You don't normally have many good songs on a single LP these days but this is exceptional. Except 'Let's Fall In Love Again' which might not necessarily attract attention both sides have surprises and entertainment value. A friend of mine asked me to play 'Akpeteshie Special' first because he, like all members of Kantata, adores akpeteshie' which is cheap West African gin. Lee finds a good excuse for drinking, he drinks just to drown his sorrows. The drums pound without fail while the synthesizer colours the gentle melody in the Victor Uwaifo's 'Joromi' vein.
Although the group has coined the term 'Asiko' to describe their particular blend of African, Caribbean and American influences, it would be more apt to describe the melody and pattern in Killy Me (You're Killing Me)' as an Ibo (Nigerian) hi-life. It's a serious matter if someone wants to snatch your girlfriend from you as Lee Dodou recounts but relax with the music which accompanies this beau- tiful song. The two hook lines 'oh killy me one time make I die' and 'daa daa da esikyire womu' would normally create an infectious party mood for this Christmas and thereafter. Don't ignore the 'Ghana muntie' conga by Savage - the guest musician who has also helped to bring out another difference between George Darko's music which is devoid of African percussion and that of Kantata.
The track which is dressed to make an instant hit in most parts of the world especially in Ghana where almost all the musicians come from is 'Duke (Akwankwaa)' - a catchy, up- tempo toe-tapper with a hook-on melody carefully prepared to set the dance halls ablaze. It should attract club airplay for the music to sink better. The lyrics are full of hope for a man about town and for African music as a whole as the year draws to a close. The group chorus in the background just adds more potency to the already swift music. The sax and synthesizer solos inject a sudden freshness into the mood of the music. Non-native Asante speakers are more likely to be inclined towards 'Asiko' (which had a brief airplay when it was released as a single some three months ago) and 'Let's Fall In Love Again' - two straight funky tempos. The guitar solos and other attributes in 'Asiko' lift the track up to a high standard.
'Side Issue' is a slow Latin hand- clapper which would excite those who would like to express their love in various ways. Described elsewhere as the musician's song, the mood and the theme of this track are some of the ingredients of Kantata that will reach the listening world with a punch. Rush to check this album out.
HAPPENINGS.
Dzata in concert
Dzata productions for the Foundation for African Arts will present an African Music and Dance Evening at the Electric Ballroom, 184 Camden Road NW1, on Thursday 22 November. There will be live music from up-and-coming African bands African Connection, Faranji Warriors and Kalimba plus an African disco.This is the first of a series of Music and Dance Evenings which are planned for the coming year, using the talents of excellent local bands and the top Africa-based bands.
Africa Centre celebrates
Africa Centre celebrates the twentieth anniversary of its existence during which period it has provided invaluable service as a venue for exposing African culture to the European community, and Africans in the UK.Among the activities scheduled for the occasion is a public discussion in the main Hall on Friday November 16 at 7.15pm, on the subject "Africa in the Eighties", with speakers: Abdulraham Mohamed Babu, His Excellency the High Commissioner for Swaziland, Mr G.M. Mamba Thomas Okelo- Odongo. It will be chaired by Chief Emeka Anyaoku.
The evening entertainment begins at 9.30 on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 November with a performance by Kanda Bongo Man supported by a disco. On Nov 20, the editor of Talking Drums, Ms Elizabeth Ohene will give a talk on current trends in Ghana.
Check it up at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, London WC2.
Pan African Appeal for £1 million for Ethiopia
A number of black organisations, people and personalities have launched a £1 million appeal for the people who are facing starvation in Ethiopia.These include newspapers such as the Caribbean Times and the West Indian World; organisations such as the Afro Caribbean Self Help Organisation (Birmingham), Hackney Black Peoples Association, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, THE NILE VALLEY SOCIETY, for the study of the African Origins of Civilisation; and leading black personalities such as Paul Boateng, Television Presenter, Juliet Alexander, Ben Bosquet, Janet Boateng, Dan Thea and Hamilton Z. Keke.
We are appealing for black organisations to set up collection centres where money, food, clothing, medicines, bedding and toiletries can be collected. We are also appealing for volunteers, i.e. doctors, nurses to volunteer to go out to Ethiopia to help. We are appealing to black organisations to set up collection boxes to receive donations. We are appealing to those organisations who are capable of doing so to organise street collections.
This appeal is initially being co- ordinated by the Afro Caribbean Self Help Organisation (Birmingham) and the Hackney Black Association (London). All monies collected are being channelled through the account of:- The Marcus Garvey Foundation, Bank Account Number: 7102100 Lloyds Bank, Villa Cross Branch, Handsworth, Birmingham B19.
For further information contact: Binny Brown, Afro Caribbean Self Help Organisation, 104 Heathfield Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, B19. Tel: 021-554 2747; or Lester Lewis, Hackney Black Peoples Association, 18 Stoke Newington Road, London, N16. Tel: 01-254 1193.
Music and dance theatre
The National Theatre of Nigeria is presenting 'Langbodo' at the Commonwealth Institute from November 21-24.The play, based on the epic story 'Forest of a Thousand Daemons' was written by Wale Ogunyemi and is directed by Dapo Adelugba.
It starts at 7.30 pm on each day plus a Saturday matinee at 2.30 pm. Tickets cost £4 (£3 concessions).
