Highlife knew his golden era during the 50s and 60s in Ghana, but this late 1970 "special hi-life numbers" just sounds like in the old good time, when president Kwame Nkrumah used to promote it as a symbol of modern (pan)african expression.
A special post for this record, taking part of a valuable RFI collection about black literature. Ivorian writer Ahmadou Kourouma (+2003) explains his approach and background, particularly on one of his most famous novel published in 1968: The Suns of Independences, which corresponds to this confused post-colonial period where many changes took place but also many disillusions appeared.
Orhan Gencebay is a turkish musician, composer, actor, initilally formed through classical turkish music (playingbağlamaand tambur, 2 traditionnal string instruments, and then playing saxophone). He showed early interest (from the 60s) for jazz, rock and fusion with foreign music, hence influencing a lot of turkish musicians along the 70s, which led to surname him "Orhan Baba" (Father Orhan).
This track has been has played by several turkish musicians (even recent dance productions) but this original version has a really deep groove.
Waltel Branco had a long career as conducter, composer, player, arranger. In the early 50s he had opportunity to play jazz in Cuba (with Mongo Santamaria, Chico O'Farrill), then in the US and Europe. He's a cornerstone in brazilian music, mixing it with latin and jazz for him or famous artists (Tim Maia, Astor Piazzolla, Tom Jobim, Flora Purim...). He realized many movie soundtracks, summing more than 5000 compositions.
I found this rare LP during last trip to Sao Paulo (muito obrigado Carlinho...). It has been recorded as soundtrack for the brasilian telenovela "Assim na Terra como no Céu" produced by rede Globo. (this is not the commercial LP soundtrack of the novela -see picture- but some Waltel Branco music used for this novela and 2 others: "Irmãos Coragem" and "Passo dos Ventos"). I dont know quality of these telenovelas (broadcasted in early 70s), but listen to these 2 wonderfull themes to have an idea about the groovy /psyche soundtrack and about Waltel's touch:
Waltel Branco - 200 mph (Assim Na Terra Como No Ceu):
I found this rare LP during last trip to Sao Paulo (muito obrigado Carlinho...). It has been recorded as soundtrack for the brasilian telenovela "Assim na Terra como no Céu" produced by rede Globo. (this is not the commercial LP soundtrack of the novela -see picture- but some Waltel Branco music used for this novela and 2 others: "Irmãos Coragem" and "Passo dos Ventos"). I dont know quality of these telenovelas (broadcasted in early 70s), but listen to these 2 wonderfull themes to have an idea about the groovy /psyche soundtrack and about Waltel's touch:
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