Sunshine Day by Osibisa
on CD
Osibisa "Greatest Hits" (Flash, a German low price)
Formed in London, England in 1969 by three Ghanaian and three
Caribbean musicians, Osibisa played a central role in developing an awareness of African
music - in their case, specifically, West African highlife tinged with rock - among
European and North American audiences in the 70s. Since then, Osibisa have suffered the
fate of many once-celebrated 70s African-oriented performers. Their pioneering blend of
rock and African rhythms has either been overlooked or downgraded for its lack of
roots appeal. There is, in truth, some justification for this: Osibisa's style was
too closely hitched to western rock, and too much of a fusion to survive the
scrutiny of western audiences who, from the early 80s onwards, were looking for
'authentic' African music. But the group's towering achievements in the 70s should not be
denigrated. The Ghanaian founder members of Osibisa - Teddy Osei (saxophone), Sol Amarfio
(drums) and Mac Tontoh (trumpet, Osei's brother) - were seasoned members of the
Accra highlife scene before they moved to London to launch their attack on the world
stage. Osei and Amaflio had played in the Star Gazers, a top Ghanaian highlife band,
before setting up the Comets, who scored a large West African hit with their 1958 single
'Pete Pete'. Tontoh was also a member of the Comets, before joining the Uhuru Dance
Band, one of the first outfits to bring elements of jazz into Ghanaian highlife. The other
founder members of Osibisa were Spartacus R, a Grenadian bass player, Robert Bailey
(b.
Trinidad; keyboards) and Wendel Richardson (b. Antigua; lead guitar). They were joined
soon after their formation by the Ghanaian percussionistDarko Adams 'Potato' (b. 1932, d.
1 January 1995, Accra, Ghana). In 1962, Osei moved to London, where he was eventually
given a scholarship by the Ghanaia government to study music. In 1964, he formed
Cat's Paw, an early blueprint for Osibisa which blended highlife, rock and soul. In 1969,
feeling the need for more accomplished African musicians within the line-up, he persuaded
Tontoh and Amarfio to join him in London, where towards the end of the year Osibisa was
born. The venture proved to be an immediate success, with the single 'Music For Gong Gong'
a substantial hit in 1970 (three other singles later made the British Top 10: 'Sunshine
Day', 'Dance The Body Music' and 'Coffee Song'). Osibisa's debut album displayed music
whose rock references, especially in the guitar solos, combined with vibrant African cross
rhythms. The band's true power only fully came across on stage, when African village scenarios and a mastery of rhythm and melody summoned up
energy and spirit. Woyaya reached number 11 in the UK and its title track was later
covered by Art Garfunkel. During the late 70s they spent much of their time on world
tours, playing to particularly large audiences in Japan, India, Australia and Africa. In
1980 they performed a special concert at the Zimbabwean independence
celebrations. By this
time, however, Osibisa's star was in decline in Europe and America. The band continued
touring and releasing records, but to steadilydiminishing audiences. Business problems
followed. After initially signing to MCA Records, Osibisa had changed labels several
times, ending with Bronze Records. The moves reflected their growing frustration with
British business, as each label in turn tried to persuade them to adapt their music to the
disco style. Osibisa were prepared to make some concessions but only up
to a point. In the mid-80s, the group directed their attention to the state of the music
business in Ghana, planning a studio and theatre complex which came to nothing following
the withdrawal of state funding, and helping in the promotion of younger highlife
artists.
In 1984, Tontoh formed a London band to back three visiting Ghanaian musicians - A.B.
Crentsil, Eric Agyeman and Thomas Frempong. An album, Highlife Stars, followed on
Osibisa's own Flying Elephant label.
SUGGESTED DISCOGRAPHY
