Gyedu-Blay Ambolley - Simigwa - out soon on Academy LPs
Posted on Sunday 08 August 2010, 04:06 - updated on 20/10/10 - Upcoming Music - Permalink
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Gyedu-Blay Ambolley - Simigwa
(LP) Essiebons EBL 6133, 1975 / bootleg reissue by Dix Records, 2010 / soon to be official reissued by Academy LPs, 2010
A very limited reissue of extremely rare Afro beat album from Ghana, 1000 copies only... alas it's a bootleg and you really should wait for the Academy LPs official reissue to happen later this year. Those US guys have a quality standard so much higher than cheap bootleg releases! And the album should be worth the wait cos' it's and amazingly rare 1975 Afro-funk album from Ghana! Gyedu-Blay Ambolley's name became synonymous with the 'Simigwa' dance craze, with the "Me Simigwa" single rocketing him to stardom in the mid 70s. This album followed, and is packed with infectious Afro-funk dancefloor treats - raw vocals, hot Hammond, big brass and those extended percussive grooves that can't fail to get you in the mood for dancing.
Gyedu-Blay Ambolley - Simigwa
(LP) Essiebons EBL 6133, 1975 / bootleg reissue by Dix Records, 2010 / soon to be official reissued by Academy LPs, 2010
Tracklisting :
A1. Kwaakwaa 5:19
A2. Akoko Ba 5:23
A3. This Hustling World 4:14
B1. Toffie 6:49
B2. Adwoa 4:08
B3. Fa No Dem Ara 4:33
Credits :
Producer - Ebow Taylor
Producer, Composed By, Arranged By - Gyedu-Blay Ambolley
Links :
blayambolley.com/simigwa-do
Gyedu Blay Ambolley - This Hustling World
Ambolley and his Afrikan Hi-Life Band
Ebo Taylor and Ambolley - Bosue! Yaa Amponsah
Who is Gyedu-Blay Ambolley ?
Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, affectionately known as the "Simigwa Do Man", was born in the port city of Sekondi-Takoradi, in the Western Region of Ghana - West Afrika. The multi-talented, international, Ghanaian musician, celebrated his "Silver Jubilee" in music in 1998.
This versatile, irrepressible singer, songwriter, producer and "musical-life-force" exploded on the music scene about twenty-five years ago with the jazzy highlife sounds he called 'SIMIGWA'.
Ambolley's early years of musical interest dates back to the age of eight, when he began playing with his father's flute until he was able to teach himself how to play. His formal musical training came at the age of fourteen under the apprenticeship of "Uncle Bonku" who taught him the guitar.
The young music enthusiast continued to learn the rudiments of music from the late' Sammy Lartey and Ebo Taylor and contributes his free style of singing to such mentors as James Brown, Ray Charles, and 'the late' Sam Cook.
The aspiring musician was excitingly impressed with the music he heard on the popular radio show, "Voice of America Jazz Hour." The show featured such jazz giants as Jimmy Smith, Max Roach, Wes Montgomery, Charlie Parker, Clifford Brown, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Eckstine, all became part of Ambolley's early musical experience.
