Kapingbdi

Fantastic work from Kapingbdi – a group who hail from Liberia, but who recorded all of these tracks for a label in Germany – all at a level that makes for a wonderfully open, criss-crossing sort of sound! These tracks aren't cleaned up or polished world music for the post-colonial market – but instead, they perfectly reflect the new musical crossroads that appeared in that generation – as a group like Kapingbdi were able to effortlessly draw from American soul and jazz, especially the latter – all while making music that was uniquely their own. There's some very strong jazz work in the mix – especially on the saxes and flute of group leader E Kojo Samuels – whose strong lead voice and solo passages really help give these tracks a depth that maybe even recalls some of the best work by Oneness Of Juju. Instrumentation includes plenty of percussion mixed with just the right dose of Fender Rhodes – and although there are vocals on the tracks, the instrumental passages often hold sway.

PERSONNEL ON A1,A2,A3 & B2

• E. Kojo Samuels - saxophone, lead vocals, flute
• Maisha El-Shabu - piano, vocals
• Joseph Kieh Blamo - lead & rhythm guitar, vocals
• M. Ciaffa Barclay - congas, percussion, vocals
• G. Charles Fyneah II - bass, vocals
• Nana B. Johnson - drums. percussion, vocals

• Munich, 1981

PERSONNEL ON A4 & BI

• E. Kojo Samuels - saxophone, lead vocals, flute
• Joseph Kieh Blamo - lead & rhythm guitar, vocals
• M. Ciaffa Barclay - congas, percussion, vocals
• G. Charles Fyneah II - bass, vocals
• Nana B. Johnson - drums

• Munich, 1980

PERSONNEL ON B3 & B4

• E. Kojo Samuels - saxophone, lead vocals, flute
• Mamadee Kamera - bass, vocals
• Jean-Claude Nanga - guitar
• M. Ciaffa Barclay - congas, percussion, vocals
• Thomas Mensah - drums

• Hamburg, 1978

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• A1. Don't Escape
• A2. You Go Go You Go Come
• A3. Wrong Curfew Walk
• A4. Our Heritage (Sengadebon)

• SIDE B
• B1. Take The Guitar Out
• B2. Boys Town
• B3. Deadea - Edit
• B4. Mali Feeling