Ghana Hilife Music - some samples

I just uploaded a sampling of Ghana music - they are MP3s converted from tape that I recorded onto my computer. Quite a time-consuming process. I'm also not sure how long they will be up, since I don't own the server. In order to download the songs, click the link connected to each title. If you want a physical copy, just get in touch with me and I can burn you a CD.
Feel free to take a listen, and refer to this list for more information on the tracks, the album info and performers. Please note that this is by no means a comprehensive overview of Ghanaian music, nor is it particularly representative. These are simply songs from tapes that I happen to own and enjoy. And there's more where this came from:

01 - Manor Nye Mawu, by Efo Senyo on 'Ametor Woyorna'. We start with an excellent example of Ghanaian traditional music - leader with a choir and drum section, the cow-bell keeping time (but not western time). Check out how the drums all come in together!

02 - Afe Aso, by Nakorex on 'Kpanlogo Fever'.   This second track is more 'pop' style - notice the similar rhythm, but combined with Ghanaian english, much less traditional here with the guitars, but with the Hilife rhythm and feel that incorporates brass.

03 - Woyoo Woyoe, by Nana Tuffour on 'Hilife Tropicana'. The third track is a combination of older Hilife rhythm and horns with the newer electric guitar from French West Africa - although with a Ghanaian twist. Nana Tuffour is the most Hilife oriented of the artists represented here, in my opinion.

04 - Near The Cross, by CYB Tamale on 'Yehowa'. With this track we go back to traditional choir songs. CYB is a youth organization in Tamale (youth refers to a younger generation - you can have 30-year-olds as part of the organization), in this case specifically a church youth association and they sing their favorite songs on this album. Listen to how they fit a western tune into their traditional style (slightly different from Efo Senyo, you might notice).

05 - Ahintabea, by Daughters of Glorious Jesus on 'Aseda'. Daughters of Glorious Jesus is probably the most popular female gospel trio in Ghanaian pop music. Their sound is a combination of Hilife and tight harmonies.

06 - Odofopa Hu Yena, by Kojo Antwi on 'Groovy'.   Kojo Antwi is one of the 'heavy hitters' of Ghanaian pop, and this is a classic track where he combines Hilife with R&B influences (think Barry White)

07 - Odo Mmra Fie, by Daddy Lumba on 'Woho Kyere'.   Another easy grooving track, you can hear the similarity that Hi-life has to reggae and island music (each of these distinct styles has its roots in Ghanaian traditional music).

08 - Adi Nye Wo, by Dada KD on 'Adi Nye Wo'. I just love this track - the way it builds in the beginning with a grooving piano. Check out the bassline too - I love Ghanaian basslines.

09 - Oo Nye Mawu, by CYB Tamale on 'Yehowa'. Back to a more traditional song by the youth choir. You may notice that their songs have no instrumentation. This is partly traditional, and partly practical - you make music with what you have around you. Drums are key, but tone instruments are optional. Check out how tight the singers and drummers are though - everyone is on the same groove.

10 - Fofo Nye Feme, by Efo Senyo on 'Etsome Manya'. Another traditional track, this one highlights the use of horns in a traditional manner. This trumpet player doesn't have a lot to say, but he is on with the rhythm and adds some interesting texture to the song. Listen also to the drums changing their emphasis. Keep in mind that this group, led by Efo Senyo, plays this same drum pattern (with slight variations) continuously for more than 30 minutes, and the only way you know that they've changed songs is because the leader comes in with different words and a slightly different melody, which the choir then follows. No hymnals or sheet music necessary

11 - Odo Esisi Me, by Akatakyie on 'Ghana Mmaa'.   Here is a swingin Hilife song with the more traditional French West-African guitar, as opposed to the western soloing found in Track 3. I love the sampling of the kid's song that happens a minute into the track, without losing the rhythm. You can hear the cow bell counting the 3/4 in the background. You can also hear the influence of rap beginning to come in.

12 - Ebeye Wo Ya, by Nana Ampadu on 'Double-Do'. Nana Ampadu is one of the favorite guitarists in Ghana - this is classic West African electric guitar playing - find a groove and vamp. You can also hear the Hilife brass on this track.

13 - Ehye Wo Bo, by Akatakyie on 'Ghana Mmaa'. I had to include this track because it grooves so well, and you can hear the cow bell keeping time - this is one of the favorite rhythms of Ghana, and most synonymous with Hilife.

14 - Yen Ka No Bokoo, by Godfred Darko on 'Ebedwo Dabi'. Godfred Darko is another staple of Ghanaian Hilife, though a more modern sound - going to town on the keyboard, which brings together the west african electric guitar sounds with the rhythms of Hilife and the backing choir.

15 - M' Endwoodwoo Me, by Nana Tuffour on 'Daasebre'. And to close out, a classic Hilife tune with the horns coming in right at the beginning.

Love - Begotten on Amazon in time for Christmas!

I just found our Christmas album has posted to Amazon MP3! Check it out HERE.

Merry Christmas from Ghana!

The other day my parents gave me a DVD they had received from some friends who had visited us in Ghana and shot footage of my at drum lessons in Ghana when I was 10 or 11. Interesting stuff. I'll have to import some of it and put a clip up on YouTube.
One of the great things about growing up in Ghana is that I got to take drum lessons from guys who made a living playing the proverbs of their people. One of the other cool things was that I was exposed to so many incredible varieties of local music in a place where making music is just part of everyday life - it's a form of expression meant to be shared with others in your community, just like dance and work and food.
I found some cassette tapes of Ghanaian music, and decided I'm going to put them into digital format over the next couple days. I started doing this a few years ago, so have a bunch of MP3s of Ghanaian music and will try to post some here.
Here's an MP3 of the Ghanaian gospel group 'Daughters of Glorious Jesus'. Groovy stuff. =) Now you know where Hiram gets his groove.

ASOMDWEHENE - DAUGHTERS OF GLORIOUS JESUS  

The Business of Music

I've been working on my full-length album for a year now, and it is finally completed. There are some slight details that need to be worked out before sending it to the printer, but the music part is done. It feels good to say that.
Now my attention is turning to promoting the album. I've been thinking about this for awhile (I've had about a year) as I try to figure out the business end of things, and I've come to some conclusions mirrored by a great post by George Howard that I linked to from Tunecore .
Basically, the conclusions are as follows:
1) create
2) be real
3) don't worry
4) make a plan with specific goals
5) work incrementally
6) build on the existing foundation
7) enjoy it!
So I'm going ahead to plan a CD-release here in Lancaster for Feb 7th @ Building Character, kind of like last year's EP release at the Station House. Hope to see you there!

Discovering Twitter

I just signed up for a free account on Twitter.com - pretty cool thing!
It lets me get and send short updates - kind of like chatting, but without the time commitment. I haven't hooked up my mobile phone, but they tell me it would make me more connected... not sure that i want to be THAT connected.
Feel free to follow me, and I'll follow you: twitter.com/hiramring  

A Christmas Song based on the nature of the Triune God

Glory to God in the Highest
What made the heavenly host sing on that cold winter's night? Was it wonder at the God of the universe becoming small and powerless? Was it amazement at His plan for salvation finally being made flesh, entering the history of humanity in a single, clear instant like the call of a trumpet? Were they simply rejoicing in the beauty and wonder of birth, or were they looking ahead to when He would destroy death with one fell swoop?
The wonder of this moment when the Word became flesh is what I was trying to capture with the song 'O Little Child'. The moment that changed history, the One who created it being Himself created, and what that would mean for eternity and humanity, is a concept that I believe we have to continually re-visit in scripture and song - to try and wrap our heads around and ultimately, joyfully, fail to understand.
It is with amazement that we find ourselves on the other side of the cross and can look back to see the giant steps and sacrifices that a little baby in Bethlehem would have to make to fulfill His destiny. A destiny to restore humanity to the relationship intended for it by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through salvation in himself, Yeshua - the Lord who saves.
O little child, o tiny babe, are these your hands that came to save? Held in your mother's warm embrace, remember me this Christmas day. O little child, your tiny feet will bear the cross toward calvary. Now tightly wrapped on mother's knee, on Christmas day I think of thee.
That God would come to us on earth - he who himself did give us birth. That the Most High would choose to be a simple child like you and me.
O little child, you must be fed - you who will give us living bread. The final Word is said, it's yours to say. Do you remember Christmas day?
Now let us sing with one accord jubilant praises to our Lord! Join with the angels' heavenly choir - proclaim this wondrous clarion hour! That God would leave His heaven above to live with us a life of love, that the Most High would choose to be a simple child like you and me.
Glory to God in the Highest! Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men!
O little child, your eyes still sleep - your tiny form a mystery. Come with the world on bended knee - on Christmas day we think of Thee.

You can find this song and more at www.hiramring.com