Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulai Discography of CDs

Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulai albums This recording features Dagbamba drumming from Northern Ghana. Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulai is the group leader. The Dagbamba are a culture in northern Ghana, an area known for its long and rich history of percussion ensembles whose influence (aside from underlying much jazz and rock) has spread into the contemporary classical field through study by composers like Steve Reich. This recording by author and musical historian John Miller Chernoff assembles a large number of local musicians under the direction of Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulai, who leads them through a kind of sampler of various rhythms and dances common to the culture. The result is raw, complex, and invigorating with none of the gloss or pandering quality that infects many so-called "world music" productions. The drums contain multitudes ...

Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulai music CDs This CD features drumming from Northern Ghana; Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulai is the group leader. Another 16 performances by the Master Drummers of Dagbon troupe from Northern Ghana. Once more, the ensemble turns their drumming into a hypnotic, enchanting rhythm ceremony, creating waves of shimmering, exploding beats, accents and patterns. What's so impressive about the Master Drummers, besides their obvious abilities, is the way melodic and harmonic developments emerge from what seems like an obsession with rhythm. Their seamless lines, rippling phrases and non-stop propulsive energy key these songs, which are tied to traditional dances, celebrations and expressions of worship and joy. ~ Ron Wynn Recording information: Tamale, Ghana. Photographer: John Miller Chernoff.