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George Darko is an amazing Highlife guitarist and vocalist, who can be recognised as an asset to Burger Highlife. Darko alongside many others paved the way in adapting the Classic Highlife sound of the 1950s and made it relevant to the experimental tech savvy generation of the 1980s. . . From a young age he learned how to play many instruments, but fell in love with the guitar to the extent that he built his own guitar using a calabash bowl. Musically he was exposed to the indigenous style of Ghanaian music, but also loved the sounds that came from artist's in the West such as George Benson. . . . In 1969 Darko joined and moved around with a few bands, and had the opportunity to perform outside of Ghana. He spent around about 5-6 months in the Middle East working with the Fourth Dimension army band to entertain troops as part of the UN's peace-keeping mission. Shortly after this he settled in Germany in the early 80s, where he helped to form the Bus Stop Band in 1982/3.  . . . The Bus Stop Band was formed with session musicians such as Lee Dodou (Vocals), Bob Fiscian (Keyboard/Synthesizer), B.B. Dowuona (Bassist) and Steve Szabo (Horns). The group released one of the greatest Burger Highlife hits in 1983 called ‘Akoo Te Brofo’ on their ‘Friends’ Album. Following this they released ‘Highlife Time’ in 1984, the LP is still today a great piece of work. In our opinion, anyway and is heavily influenced by his love for George Benson. . Picture 6: Bus Stop Band with George Darko (Check Shirt), Lee Dodou (Behind Darko) and Bob Fisican (back right) Source: Collins 2018, 344 . . . Odo Colour - George Darko  Video source: Premier GH (adapted) AOTH does not own the rights to this video. #anodetohighlife #highlifemusic #burgerhiglife #westafricanmusic #vinylcollection #african #GhanaianHistory #Ghanaianmusic #ghanatourism #africandiaspora #ghanaheritage #ghana #georgedarko #vinyl #vinylcommunity https://www.instagram.com/p/CC83PdsJbw4/?igshid=uyy665vew7ae

Lee Dodou is another pioneer of Burger Highlife and a great vocalist. Dodou was well associated with bands such as Bisa Goma, Police Band and Gyedu Blay Ambolley Zantoda. It was until the late 1970s that he left Ghana for green pastures at the time like many Ghanaians. . . . He ended up in Berlin, Germany and joined a few groups but he really came to light with the ‘Bus Stop Band’ led by George Darko. Dodou was the lead vocalist on most of the Bus Stop Band songs, you can hear him on the famous ‘Ako Te Brofo’ recording in it's earliest format and on Geroge Darko’s Highlife Time and Friends LP. . . . The Bus Stop Band broke up and Dodou went on to join Kantata a band formed in 1984. Dodou was called in a lead vocalist and also played Acoustic Guitar for the group, making massive hits such as ‘Odo Mpa’, Saworoma, ‘It High Time’ and ‘Akwankwa’. The group was made up Sylvester Kwame (Bass/Vocals), Fouad Amoo (Percussions/Drums/Vocals), Eddie Sey (Keyboards), Ogene Kologbo (Lead Guitar) and Emmanuel Roberts (Tenor, Sax) . . . Akwankwa - Lee Dodou Video source: Ghanaboycom via Youtube (adapted) AOTH does not own the rights to this video. #anodetohighlife #highlifemusic #burgerhiglife #westafricanmusic #vinylcollection #african #GhanaianHistory #Ghanaianmusic #ghanatourism #africandiaspora #ghanaheritage #ghana #LeeDodou (at Berlin, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/CC3rgNcJDR_/?igshid=1gae1bgmywh3x

Dan Amakye Dede affectionately known as ‘Abrantie’ or ‘Iron Boy’ is another legendary Highlife artiste that become popular in the Burger Highlife era of Highlife music. However, his music does merge towards the Reggae Highlife side of Highlife music, however, he equally dominated the Burger Highlife scene in the 80s and 90s. . . . Amakye Dede musical journey began in the 70s when joined the Kumapim Royals as a vocalist and composer, which was led by Highlife singer Akwasi Ampofo Agyei (AAA). They had hits like ‘Wanware Me A’, ‘Odo Mani Agyina’ and ‘Jealousy Go Shame’. . . . Dede formed his own band called the Apollo High Kings in the 1980s and as we mentioned above he dominated the Highlife scene in Ghana at the time and since with hits like ‘Odo Mfoni’, ‘Magye Me Girl’ ‘Okyena Sese’, ‘Dabi Dabi Ebe Ye Yie’ and ‘Akwada Wesoa’ to name a few. Alongside Burger Highlife, he also started to experiment with other subgenres like Reggae, Calypso and Lovers rock around the late 1990s. . . . Okyena Sese - Amakye Dede Video source: Amakye Dede - Topic via Youtube (adapted) AOTH does not own the rights to this video. #anodetohighlife #highlifemusic #burgerhiglife #westafricanmusic #vinylcollection #african #GhanaianHistory #Ghanaianmusic #ghanatourism #africandiaspora #ghanaheritage #ghana #amakyedede https://www.instagram.com/p/CCv-oeMJKL3/?igshid=1fo9baadjrk69

👈🏾👈🏾👈🏾👈🏾 Ernest Owoahene Nana Acheampong popularly known as Nana Acheampong was born in Abuakwa in the Ashanti Region. Acheampong’s Burger Highlife career began in Germany in a band called Talking Drum, he later progressed and formed his own band which participated in several European Tours. . . . Acheampong was also a former member of the ‘Lumba Brothers’ alongside Daddy Lumba - check our previous post for a little bit more insight. The music group made massive hits together but Acheampong equally made massive hits as a solo artist with hits like ‘Obibini Mu’, ‘Kata W’ani Te’ and ‘Nanka Ebeye Den’. . . . Nana Acheampong is mostly recognised for paying tribute to Ghanaian women which got him the name ‘Lover Boy’ or ‘Champion Lover Boy’. . . . Nanka Ebeyen Den - Nana Acheampong AOTH does not own the rights to this song. #anodetohighlife #highlifemusic #burgerhiglife #westafricanmusic #vinylcollection #african #GhanaianHistory #Ghanaianmusic #ghanatourism #africandiaspora #ghanaheritage #ghana #nanaacheampong https://www.instagram.com/p/CCtY9HOptuK/?igshid=dgrj4ny57ws9

Charles Kwadwo Fosu also known as ‘Daddy Lumba’ was born on the 29th September 1964 and hails from the Ashanti Region. Lumba’s career started in Gospel music and slowly transitioned into Highlife, Burger Highlife and contemporary Highlife, which is evident as his career has succeeded for over 20 years. . . . In the 1980s Lumba was introduced to Burger Highlife through ‘Nana Acheampong’ another legend we will cover soon. The two formed the ‘Lumba Brothers’ and had massive hits such as ‘Odo Nti’, ‘Sika Asem’ and ‘Yeeye Aka Akwantuo’. . . . ‘Yeeye Aka Akwantuo’ was released 1989 which was a song dedicated to Ghanaian’s who left the country (Ghana) to find better opportunities but ended up permanently settling because of emotional, financial and other unexpected hardships.  . . . As a solo artist Daddy Lumba has been consistent releasing multiple-hits such as ‘Aben Woha’, ’Obi Ate Me So Buo’ and ’Ebi Se Eye Aduro’. His consistency has not only enabled him to bridge the gap between young and old but aside from Burger Highlife Lumba, has become one of the most popularised singers of ‘Contemporary Highlife’ alongside a few others.  . . . (1) Sesse wose - Daddy Lumba (2) Aben Woha - Daddy Lumba Video source: Daddy Lumba via Youtube (adapted) AOTH does not own the rights to this video. #anodetohighlife #highlifemusic #burgerhiglife #westafricanmusic #vinylcollection #african #GhanaianHistory #Ghanaianmusic #ghanatourism #africandiaspora #ghanaheritage #ghana #daddylumba https://www.instagram.com/p/CCq4cTIpHbp/?igshid=1itsvrczmh8m1

Gyamfi released a couple of vinyl records such as ‘Sweet Lady’ in 1984, ‘Osibi Music’ in 1988 and ‘Hi-Life For You’ released in 1985.  . Side A: Obiara Bewu and EfIri Makoma Mu. . . Side B: African Groove, Hi-Life For You and Father and Son . . Musicians: Guitar and Vocals - Rex Gyamfi Bass Guitar - Daniel Kofi Jefferson Keyboards, Back Vocals and Drums - Maz G. Weber Congas - Ansumana Bangura Alto Sax - Martin Arnold Trumpet - Rainer Winterschlagen Peter Krick - Linndrum Programming . . Sadly there isn’t much information out there on Rex Gyamfi, but we hope to update this soon. In the meantime, we definitely know that he deserves to be appreciated as part of this series. However, if you do have any information on this legend do contact us via email in our bio or give us a DM. We are open to submissions from reliable sources of course. . . Efiri Makoma Mu - Rex Gyamfi Various Artists Topic via Youtube AOTH does not own the rights to this video. . . #anodetohighlife #highlifemusic #burgerhiglife #westafricanmusic #vinylcollection #vinyl #african #GhanaianHistory #Ghanaianmusic #ghanatourism #africandiaspora #ghanaheritage #ghana #rexgyamfi https://www.instagram.com/p/CCoQTW8phhk/?igshid=5wad215r3t8w

Charles Amoah is undoubtedly amongst some of the greatest when it comes to burger highlife, iconically known for his singing and dancing abilities and his classic ponytail.  . . . Our understanding of Amoah’s musical journey fed into Alex Konadu’s journey (check out our previous post on Konadu). Amoah was introduced to the Highlife music scene by Alex Konadu and played with groups like Konadu’s the Parrots, Happy Boys and Precious Jewels before his transition to Germany in the late 70s. . . . This was around the time he released some of his debut albums such as ‘Sweet Vibration’ in 1984, ‘Fre Me’ (Call Me), ‘Me Ne Wo Begoro’ (Pearly Games) in 1985 and ‘Eye Odo Asem’ in 1987. ‘Eye Ode Asem’ or ‘Odo Asem’ means its a love story really put him on the map. Musically you can easily hear elements of disco and funk in his musical arrangements with the Highlife undertones. . . . Eye Odo Asem - Charles Amoah Video source: Derrick Akoto Kankam via Youtube (adapted) AOTH does not own the rights to this video. . . #anodetohighlife #highlifemusic #burgerhiglife #westafricanmusic #vinyl #vinylcollection #african #GhanaianHistory #Ghanaianmusic #ghanatourism #africandiaspora #ghanaheritage #ghana #charlesamoah https://www.instagram.com/p/CClqjwKpsCF/?igshid=160asxq1r9w6e

Okyena Sesee - Amakye Dede & His Apollo Kings International . . Side A: Dantuo Mu Awosee, Metee Ye Akye, Daben Na Odo Beba Side B: Magye Me Girl, Okyena Sesee . . Credits: Composed By, Arranged By, Leader, Lead Vocals - Amakye Dede Rhythm Guitar - Opoku Lead Guitar - Smart Frimpong Bass Guitar - Marshall Keyboards - B.B. Drums - Papa Jama Congo - Joma Maracas - Addai Clipps & Vocals - Nash Uray Guest Artistes: Alto Sax - Sammy Odoh Trumpet - Akrashie Drums - Azzie Dee Polly Phone - Abee Mensah Vinyl cover designed by Koby Smith . . Towards the end of 1980s the Ghanaian economy started to pick-up slowly, which had some Ghanaian musician abroad return back home. Ghanaian youth at the time become obsessed with burger highlife and where the classic sweet sounds of old-highlife explored social issues, family problems, moral advice and proverbial views of life and death. Burger highlife moved more towards major romantic, with undertones of soical issues, larger than life lifestyle. . . . #anodetohighlife #highlifemusic #burgerhiglife #westafricanmusic #thevinylfactory #african #GhanaianHistory #Ghanaianmusic #ghanatourism #africandiaspora #ghanaheritage #ghana #amakyedede https://www.instagram.com/p/CCENhDbJ90A/?igshid=1aps6stswqif7

Obi Ate Meso Bo, Lumba Brothers (1990) . . Side A: Theresa, Ankwanoma, Obi Ate Meso Bo Side B: Mempaebo, Makoma Ho Toffee, Nom Nsuo Twen Ope . . Credits Arranged By, Percussion – Kofi Addo Andy* Composed By, Written-By, Arranged By, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Drum Programming – Charles K. Fosuh alias Daddy Lumba* Engineer – Dirk Mallwitz, Jose Halenta Keyboards, Guitar – Heinz Fröhling Liner Notes – Daddy Lumba Saxophone – Rudolf Svatunek Recorded at Da Capo Studio, Moheim . The merge of the drum-machines, synthesisers of disco-music and guitar style music made it easier to play and cheaper to perform and produce. Burger Highlife was created according to J. Collins and a few others in the German town of Hamburg by the highlife musicians that fled out of Ghana in the late 70s due to economic reasons. . . . #anodetohighlife #highlifemusic #highlife #burgerhiglife #westafricanmusic #thevinylfactory #african #GhanaianHistory #Ghanaianmusic #ghanatourism #africandiaspora #ghanaheritage #ghana #lumbabrothers #daddylumba https://www.instagram.com/p/CCBp2BipWLU/?igshid=c1pu5fu98vba

Moni.Palava, Geroge Darko (1986) . . Side A - Moni Palava, Tell Me, Dance & Party Freak Side B - Obi Abayewa, Ashewa, Adikanfo . The rise of discotheques during the 1970s made live music obsolete, “by the late 1970s, even more, discos were opening in Accra, like the Moustache, High Society Lodge, Club Falesia and Club Elegnza” (Collins, 2018). The massive wave of disco music surged across parts of Ghana, sizing up with large live bands. Where ‘techno’ and ‘disco’ met Highlife, ‘Burger Highlife’ was born. . . . . #anodetohighlife #highlifemusic #highlife #burgerhiglife #westafricanmusic #thevinylfactory #african #GhanaianHistory #Ghanaianmusic #ghanatourism #africandiaspora #Georgedarko #ghanaheritage #ghana https://www.instagram.com/p/CB_JjwypbCR/?igshid=1illy8bij9ax3

👈🏾👈🏾👈🏾 Prof. John Collins writer, journalist, recording engineer and highlife historian. Has been an essential asset to the preservation of Highlife music across West Africa for almost 50 years. His foundation the Bokoor African Music Archive Foundation (BAPMAF), holds decades worth of  West African highlife history. Collins is a naturalised Ghanaian who initially came to Ghana in 1952 as a young boy with his family, and then settled in Ghana and has been active in the Highlife scene since 1969. . . Musically he has worked with a number of Nigerian and Ghanaian musicians and bands such as Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Koo Nimo, Victor Uwaifo, Kwaa Mensah and T.O.Jazz to name a few. As an artist himself, he ran his own Highlife band called the Bokoor Highlife guitar band which is also associated with his foundation (BAPMAF).  . . We owe a great amount to Prof. J. Collins and others, in inspiring and educating our vision in the continued work towards the preservation of our music and history. #anodetohighlife #highlifemusic #highlife #grammaphone #westafricanmusic #thevinylfactory #explorepage #palmwinehighlife #african #GhanaianHistory #Ghanaianmusic #ghanatourism #africandiaspora #analogafrica #johncollins #ghanaheritage #ghanaarchive #ghanahistory https://www.instagram.com/p/CB5_N2uHYG2/?igshid=1t6abnchxgvxu

[Swipe Left] . . Koo Nimo also known as Daniel Amponsah was born in 1934. He grew up around Palmwine highlife which he is highly recognised as grand master of folk/palmwine music. Nimo states that his first experience with music was through his father who was a musician in a local brass band. . . Nimo was also taught music at the Presbyterian school in Kumasi,  “I was forced to spend hours listening to Bach and Beethoven as there were some German missionaries there who liked this sort of thing. The German missionaries were militant and they detected something musical in me and felt they should help me”. John Collins, (2018) p 274. . . In the late 1950s Nimo left his hometown to Accra to study at the Medical Research Institute, graduating in 1955 he went back to his home town and started his own group called Antobre. . . Koo Nimo has consistently stuck to his traditional and rootsy style of highlife music and although he has currently retreated away in his hometown in Kumasi. He is now continually influencing and teaching young highlife musicians. . . Palmwine Guitar Highlife Series-Agya Koo Nimo of Ghana Adapted from Nana Konadu on Youtube . #anodetohighlife #highlifemusic #highlife #grammaphone #westafricanmusic #thevinylfactory #explorepage #palmwinehighlife #african #GhanaianHistory #Ghanaianmusic #ghanatourism #africandiaspora #analogafrica #koonimo #ghanaheritage #ghana (at Kumasi, Ghana) https://www.instagram.com/p/CB3cS_wpeEo/?igshid=124rx58w0m8x1