Various Artists

BORGA REVOLUTION! GHANAIAN MUSICIN THE DIGITAL AGE, 1983 – 1992 (VOLUME 1)

Kalita

Tracklist:
A1. Uncle Joe’s Afri-Beat –
Eshe Wo Kon Ho
A2. Thomas Frempong –
Mada Meho So
A3. Native Spirit – Odo San Bra Fie
B1. George Darko –
Medo Menuanom (12” Version)
B2. Wilson Boateng – Mabre Agu
B3. Paa Jude – Odo Refre Wo
C1. Aban – Efie Nnye
C2. Wilson Boateng – Asew Watchman
C3. Uncle Joe’s Afri-Beat – Mr. D.J.
D1. George Darko – Obi Abayewa
D2. Dr. K. Gyasi’s Noble Kings –
Damfo Agoo/David Akofo/
Obegyaa Nowa/Okwantuni
Moboro (Medley)

Kalita are proud to unveil the first ever compilation
focussing on the phenomenon of ‘Burger Highlife’, a
crossover of West African melodies with synthesizers, disco
and boogie that took over Ghanaian airwaves during the
1980’s and beyond. Highlighting key recordings from
genre-defining artists including Thomas Frempong and
George Darko, as well as more obscure sought-after tracks
by elusive bands such as Aban and Uncle Joe’s Afri-Beat,
Kalita come to the rescue of audiophiles, DJs and
music-lovers alike with ‘Borga Revolution!’ Spread over a
double-LP housed in a gatefold sleeve. Accompanied by a
16-page booklet featuring extensive interview-based liner
notes on each artist and never-before-seen archival
photos.
The 1970s had witnessed an increased Western airtime and
physical presence in Ghana introducing funk, soul and disco
sounds to the region. By the turn of the decade the country was
also enduring economic turmoil, with rising poverty, military
dictatorships and long periods of enforced curfews (amongst
other factors) making it impossible for artists to survive.
As a result, many Ghanaian musicians with a broader outlook
began to pursue their careers in the West, moving to both
Europe and America in search of stardom. It was here that
Ghanaian musicians developed a digitised version of highlife
music which fully embraced Western contemporary music styles
and newly introduced technology such as the Yamaha DX7
synthesizer and various drum machines.
It is in this context in which the evolution of Ghanaian dance
music and the emergence of ‘Burger Highlife’ was born. With
‘Borga Revolution!’ Kalita endeavour to tell this story, with
prominent and lesser-known musicians’ accounts and
documentary evidence providing a comprehensive
understanding of this shift to the digital age.

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