Boko a Ko

Formed in 2015 by the Ghanaian veteran Ebo Taylor, whose 1970s catalogue has been extensively reissued over recent years, the eight-piece Saltpond City Band is now led by his son, Henry Taylor on keyboards and lead vocals. The album comes via the organisers of the Meet Me There Weekender, a festival held annually in Ghana’s Volta coastal region, and where the Saltpond City Band has often played. When the festival had to be paused due to COVID-19, MMT decided to keep active by launching a record label and the profits will be used to construct a recording studio in the community where the MMT Weekender takes place.

After that lengthy preamble, to the record itself, a thrilling blend of classic highlife and Afro-funk, the three-strong horn section are as tight as they are robust and their solos fluid and melodic. The percussion simmers with a mesmerising precision, Del Botri adds some fiery flute playing and the vocals of Taylor Jr are as warm and engaging as you could wish. As a bonus, Ebo gets to guest on the track ‘Mennbo Wobi’, his earthy vocals as sturdy as ever at 86 years young.