Ghana: Music Of The Northern Tribes CD - Import

Instrumental and vocal music on social and religious themes. Recorded on location in 1976.

One of many field recordings capturing the wealth of Africa's roots music, this Lyrichord compilation focuses on the tribes of northern Ghana, a region whose arid landscape contrasts sharply with the country's more fertile coastal regions. Like high-profile releases on the Nonesuch label, this impressive collection benefits from clean sound and a varied program. The disc takes in the music of several tribes, including the Muslim Mamprusi and Kusasi and the Christian Dagarti and Frafra. Free of any of the wind instruments or sundry percussion prevalent in the region, the first two cuts spotlight the longstanding drum and vocal tradition of the Mamprusi and Grunshi with call-and-response pieces full of rough-toned singing and the sounds of the village where the recordings were made. Varying the tonal textures, the next two pieces feature singers accompanying themselves with a calabash rattle (siyari) and a bowed lute (gonje), respectively; while the first performer delivers some amazingly spry and complex rhythms on the rattle, the second singer overwhelms the listener with an impassioned vocal performance. More textures arise listening to a Dagarti ensemble comprised of three xylophone players and another one featuring drums, flutes, and singers. Not for fans expecting studio slick worldbeat or even Ghana's popular guitar highlife music, but a rewarding listen for those comfortable with the gruff sound of field recordings. ~ Stephen Cook

This music is from the people in the dry savannah north of the Brong Ahafo. Features some of the most unique and diverse instrumentation form and vocal technique in Africa. This is a music of the people, speaking of everything from personal life to socia

Personnel: Akurugu (vocals); Michael Bazoroviireh (xylophone); Yamgbalga (drums).

Recording information: GHANA.

Unknown Contributor Role: Dagarti Dacing.