Search - Obo Addy :: Okropong

The rhythm is as good as it gets!

The Delite Rancher | Phoenix, Arizona | 02/20/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Obo Addy is Ghana's musical ambassador. He has shared the rich musical traditions of his native country with Americans much the same way Babatunde Olatunji did with the music of Nigeria. While Addy's recordings are eclectic, ranging from afropop to new age, he goes back to his roots in this recording and gives us the traditional African rhythm ensemble. Without the new age qualities of his reverb soaked "Rhythm of Which a Chief Walks Gracefully" and lacking the Afropop sensibilities of his other albums, this is a polyrhythmic 'back to the basics' celebration of drums, percussion and beautiful Ghanian songs. By not sounding under or over-produced, the production hits the target and thus stays out of the trap of so many similar projects. The upbeat disc blazes with the balaphone, a myriad of bells and countless drums including the talking drum. Having seen Obo Addy live on both the African and North American continents, I am happy to write that this disc captures the essence of his live show. The voices soar, the arrangements are powerful and the rhythm is as good as it gets."