okyerema asante: drum message
Francisco Espregueira
Black Fire is the official archive of Jimmy Gray's seminal independent soul and jazz label & collective that he ran out of Richmond, VA between 1975 and 1993. Gray’s collection of original master tapes is beyond amazing, including works from Oneness Of Juju, Lon Moshe, Byard Lancaster, Theatre West, Wayne Davis and more... The worldwide recognized Strut Records returns to the rich archives of Black Fire Records to deliver the Drum Message album, by Ghanaian master percussionist Okyerema Asante from 1977.
Recorded at Arrest Studios in Washington D.C. in that October of 44 years ago, and featuring musicians from Oneness alongside Gil Scott Heron cohort Brian Jackson on piano, Drum Message represents an important milestone for Asante, helping him to cement his sound and experimental attitude. The resultant album was well worth the sweat. “Adowa” adds jazz arrangements to a traditional Asante rhythm and Oneness classic “Follow Me” is skilfully re-worked. New versions of Asante dancefloor favourite “Sabi” sit alongside the mellow groove of “Asante Sana” blending reggae and highlife textures. Drum Message is an essential album of afro rhythms that will make many collectors go crazy. Don’t sleep, this is available on vinyl, courtesy of Black Fire.
“This album really came from my heart. I wanted to project the African spirit in the music and come out with some unique African jazz. To be able to record it on Black Fire was extra special.”