“ I feel pata pa” 🎶
African music is tradition that has been passed on from generations. The vastness of the continent is historically rich, ancient and diverse so as it’s music.
Osibisia is said to mean “ Criss cross rhythms” that explode with happiness but in its actuality, the Fante word for highlife. Written as “Osibisaba”.
A Ghanaian Afro-Pop band formed in 1969 by four expatriate African and Caribbean musicians. Their music is a fusion of African, Caribbean, funk, jazz, rock, Latin and RnB. Their original line up consisted of Teddy Osei (saxophone, flute, vocals), MacTontoh (trumpet and background vocals), Sol Amartefio ( drums and backing), all three from Ghana. Loughty Lasisi Amao (congas, percussion and horns) from Nigeria, Robert Bailey(keyboards) from Trinidad, Spartacus R (bass), Grenadian and Wendell Richardson( lead guitar and vocals), Antigua. Together known as the “ beautiful seven”.
In 1969, formed by three Ghanaians and three Caribbean musicians, Osibisa played a central role in developing awareness of African music in European and North American audiences in the 70’s. The Ghanaian founding members, Teddy Osei and brother Mac Tontoh were seasoned members of an Accra highlife band, Star Gazers, in the 1950’s. Teddy Osei moved to London in 1962 where he was eventually given a scholarship by the Ghanaian government to study music. Following previous groups in London, in 1969, feeling the need for more accomplished African musicians to be recognized, he persuaded Tontoh and Amarfio to join him in London and Osibisa was born.
True pioneers that set the pace and kept African music thriving, whose indignity sold Africa and Ghana to the world. The most successful and longest lived African heritage band.
The first to exit officially was Spartacus R, who was replaced many times. By Assagai, Jean Mandengue, among others. Amao left and was replaced by Kofi Ayivor, who was replaced by Potato but returned to the group later. Richardson left the group in 1972 and returned in 1975 and that’s the back story for “Welcome home” and “ Sunshine day”. Anyhow, Bailey was replaced by Kiki Gyan. Other members include, Totoh, Gregg Kofi Brown, Kari Bannerman, Emmanuel Rentzos, Roy Bedeau, Bessa Simmons, Kwame Yeboah, Colin Graham, Chris Jerome, Nii Tagoe, Errol Reid, Herman Asafo, Tony Etoria, Del Richardson, Daka Potato,amongst others.
This year marks 51 years of musical excellence since Osibisa exploded onto the music world with a throbbing sound and has been relevant since. Their integral sound set in stone for disco boom. Osibisa has played shows and run tours all over the world. During the late 1970s, they spent much of their time on world tours, playing to particularly large audiences in Japan, India, Australia and Africa. In 1980, Osibisa performed a special concert at the Zimbabwean independence celebrations. Even though they struggled in commercial terms in Europe and America they continued steadily to go on tours and release albums. Record labels include, MCA, Bronze records, Warner Bros, Decca US, and others. The band returned to Ghana to set up a recording studio and theater complex to help younger highlife musicians.
Studio albums include Osibisa, 1971, Woyaya, 1971, Heads, 1972, Supperfly, TnT Soundtrack, 1973, Happy children, Osibirock, 1974, Welcome home, 1975, Ojah Wake, 1976, Mystic Energy, 1980, Crlebration, 1980, African Flight, 1981, Movements, 1989, African Criss Cross, 1990, Monsore, 1997, African Dawn, African flight, 2003, Wango Wango, 2004, Osee Yee, 2009. Notable of their works are, singles, live albums, compilations, unauthorized albums, literature.
One of the important reasons for Odibisa’s enduring success has been their highly energetic and extravagant stage craftsmanship.
Osibisa has received life time awards, the group won their first Grammy for best Rock album for “The Resistance” at the 53rd Grammy awards amongst others recognitions home and abroad.
Mac Tontoh and Kiki Djan passed amidst surrounded controversies. May their souls Rest In Peace.
“We are going
Heaven knows where are going
We will know we’re there
We will get there”
Ours 