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ebo taylor - appia kwa bridge - strut - vinyl

New Copy

Genre: African - Ghana

1 Ayesama

2 Abonsam

3 Nsu Na Kwan

4 Yaa Amponsah

5 Assom Dwee

6 Kruman Dey

7 Appia Kwa Bridge

8 Barrima

'Appia Kwa Bridge' marks the return from the Ghanaian highlife guitar legend Ebo Taylor. Featuring six new compositions, his sound is more dense and tightly locked than ever with the back-up of Berlin-based musicians Afrobeat Academy, a rock solid unit since regular touring worldwide following his 'Love And Death' album in 2010.

The album covers a variety of themes dear to Taylor. The title track references a small bridge in Ebo's hometown of Saltpond on the Cape Coast: "it is a tiny bridge but a place known in the town where people meet, where lovers get together." The firing, rousing 'Ayesama', first demo-ed during the 'Love And Death' sessions, is a Fante war cry, a taunt - "what's your mother's name?", "Nsu Na Kwan', based on a Fante proverb, asks "Which is older - the river or the old road" with the sub-text to respect your elders and the brilliant 'Abonsam' carries the message that Abonsam (The Devil) is responsible for evil in the world and that we should follow the Christian message.

Elsewhere, the album features a new version of highlife anthem, 'Yaa Amponsah', first recorded during the '20s by Jacob Sam's Trio before becoming a popular standard in Ghana, and a cover of an original track from Taylor's time with Apagya Show Band during the '70s, 'Serwa Brakatu', re-titled here as 'Kruman Dey'. The closer, the acoustic 'Barrima', is a poignant tribute to Taylor's first wife and one true love who sadly passed away during Summer 2011. "Ebo wrote the song following her passing and recorded this in one take during our last day in the studio," reflects bandleader Ben Abarbanel-Wolff. "He was very emotional."

The album features a number of special guests within the credits including incomparable drummer Tony Allen, original Africa 70 guitarist Oghene Kologbo and conga maestro Addo Nettey a.k.a. Pax Nicholas. Representing the younger players, keyboard genius Kwame Yeboah, son of Ghanaian legend S.K. Yeboah