Anyankofo

Total Hip Replacement’s Anyankofo – a Fante word meaning ‘Friends’ – is an album about just that. This is a warm, though not timid, exploration of human experience, connection and developing community, through the medium of reggae-highlife fusion. Written and recorded over just one month, the project is a collaboration between Danish and Ghanaian musicians. A familiar pop-reggae feel unifies the album, offbeats coming and going, occasionally dipping into a heavier, more rootsy space, as in the rockers-esque ‘Midnight Driver’. Other tracks bring highlife to the forefront. Here, ‘Bra’ shines out: an energetic piece featuring punchy horn lines and the honeyed vocals of highlife great Pat Thomas. The magic of this album lies in the meeting of voices and genres. Guests range from this aptly-named ‘golden voice of highlife’ to the emerging, soulful vocals of Asi Renie, from hiplife rapper Worlasi to Grammy-nominated reggae artist Rocky Dawuni. Meanwhile, catchy horn riffs sit aside delicately dancing guitar, hits of dubby reverb and smoky pop vocals. Lyrics on life, love, existential issues and social justice tread themes as internationally relatable as the instrumentation. Anyankofo will be great listening for the upcoming summer sun, and warming on those inevitably rainy days too.