saltpond city band: boko a ko
Francisco Espregueira
Originally formed by the the legendary Ghanaian highlife musician Ebo Taylor about seven years ago, the Saltpond City Band is now led by his son Henry Taylor, a keyboardist and lead vocalist that commands the buoyant 8-piece outfit to glory in their latest album Boko A Ko. Released by Meet Me There Records, Boko A Ko delves into relationship problems told in a funky and energetic highlife way by the talent of an unique band.
Over the years, the Saltpond City Band has played hundreds of shows with Ebo Taylor and became a household name in the international touring circuit. Their new record has more of a touch from Henry Taylor, although the legend of Ebo appears in “Mennbo Wobi”. Boko A Ko fuses a special brand of highlife, funk and afrobeat, slickly woven into a refreshing twist on classic Ghanaian highlife. With the core of the band set deep in the highlife experience, Taylor and company deliver a driving combination of robust horns, fluid percussion and earthy vocals. Available on vinyl, this album provides an unmissable experience of modern highlife and african jazz. Courtesy of Meet Me There Records, the profits from the album/label will be invested into the construction of a music studio in the community of Abledomi and continuing their work in the community such as DJ and instrument lessons. Invaluable initiatives.