Ghana: Ancient Ceremonies, Dance Music & Songs CD

This album was originally titled AFRICA: ANCIENT CEREMONIES, DANCE MUSIC & SONGS OF GHANA.

Recorded in Ghana. Originally released on Nonesuch (72082). Includes liner notes by Stephen Jay.

In Ghana, as in most sub-Saharan Africa, music is an essential way of life...These selections are songs which have intricate, overlapping phrases sung in parallel harmonies, songs with musicians who use harmonics to imitate the controlled "cracking" of the voice, songs with women drumming and another where two men sit facing each other, playing the same instrument. The sounds of this album are very diversified. This recording was recorded in three separate regions on Ghana, but reflects only a small part of the rich diversity of traditional musical forms alive in Ghana today. ~ MusD

A Nonesuch re-release of music recorded in the '70s is the best general introduction to Ghanian traditional music, in that there's variety in singing styles, types of music, and instrumentation, along with excellent playing and very fine recording quality. ~ John Storm Roberts

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

This is part of the Nonesuch Explorer Series.

Dance Music & Songs

Audio Remasterer: Robert C. Ludwig.

Liner Note Author: Stephen Jay.

Recording information: GHANA.

Editor: Robert C. Ludwig.