Hugh Masekela - Introducing Hedzoleh Soundz
Blue Thumb #BTS62 July 1973
01 Languta
02 Kaa Ye Oya
03 Adade
04 Yei Baa Gbe Wolo
05 Patience
06 When
07 Nye Tamo Ame
08 Rekpete
Stanley Kwesi Todd (bass guitar, vocals);
Nat "Leepuma" Hammond (flute, Ewe congas, vocals);
Richard Neesai "Jagger" Botchway (guitar);
Acheampong Welbeck (Afro-trap kit: American bass drum/Hihat, with 4
mounted gankogui bells, and a mounted gourd hit with sticks!);
James Kwaku Morton (Ewe congas, vocals);
Issac “Okyerema” Asante (Akan atumpan, percussion, vocals)
Samuel Nortey (percussion, vocals
Hugh Masekela (highly echoey trumpet, vocals)
Some reading matter
"The 1973 album “Introducing Hedzoleh Soundz,” by Ghana’s Hedzoleh Soundz with South African trumpetist, Hugh Masekela is simply stunning- arguably the greatest African-Jazz fusion album of all time, and certainly Masekela’s most outstanding release. The musicianship & creativity on these precious cuts are matchless. All but 2 of 8 tunes are written by Hedzoleh (one is by Masekela in HS style, one is traditional)- and therein lies the album’s brilliance. So don’t be fooled by the title, this is Hedzoleh’s album with guest Masekela. Hedzoleh (“freedom”) Soundz was formed in Accra, Ghana in the late 1960’s. Leader Stanley Todd assembled a monster ensemble of musicians from the Ghana Arts Council, intending to form a new Afro-Rock group that would be more traditional & African in sound, and hopefully surpass Osibisa in popularity (alas it was not to be). Their original songs were based upon
traditional Akan & Ewe music, and employed dark, organic sounding African-made drums instead of modern western congas/drum-kit. One of their greatest hits was a Liberian sea shanty/Palm Wine song (Rekpete).
Hedzoleh’s rise to power was bolstered by local music mogul, Faisal Helwani, a producer, promoter, & club-owner, who brought Fela to Ghana. Helwani recognized Hedzoleh’s importance & potential, making them the house band for his famous “Napoleon” club. He also produced the LP “Introducing Hedzoleh Soundz,” recording in Lagos. Hedzoleh won the Art Council “Dance Band” award in 1974.
Interestingly, Hugh Masekela was introduced to Hedzoleh by none other than Fela Kuti. Masekela worked with a primordial version of Hedzoleh as early as 1967 as evidenced by his powerful (but more jazz-heavy) performance at the Monterey Pop festival with Hedzoleh members: Botchway (guitar), Todd (bass), Hammond (modern congas/flute), Morton (congas), Asante (on modern drum-kit!), and “Big Black” on congas"
Written by David McDavitt
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