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African Connection
News
Working on the second album.
»The Akatakyiwa Session«
7" 2018
Sounds of Subterrania
SoS 164
1. Matanbaye
2. Gbemegiwo
African Connection was founded in 2016 by musicians from Ghana, America and Denmark and the result of their collaboration is unmistakably unique. Their sound is inspired by Fela Kuti, pioneer of the Afrobeat and not just a legend in Nigeria. Their drummer, Frank "CC YoYo" Ankrah, played with Fela in the 80s and was a student of Tony Allen. The mother tongue lyrics of African Connection come from all three Ghanaian members of the band and cover a wide range of social topics. In addition to the songs, the title of the album "Queens and Kings" thematizes the role of women and their oppression. Musically, African Connection combine Highlife, Funk, Afrobeat, Rock'n'Roll and West African traditions, providing significant and modern interpretation and expansion of the genre.
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»Queens and Kings«
LP / CD 2018
Sounds of Subterrania
SoS 175 / SoS 176
1. Matanbaye
2. Gbemegiwo
3. Womba
4. Danmalio
5. Babanato
6. Dabina Meka
7. Tou Tou
8. Fela Tribute
9. Dunia
African Connection was founded in 2016 by musicians from Ghana, America and Denmark and the result of their collaboration is unmistakably unique. Their sound is inspired by Fela Kuti, pioneer of the Afrobeat and not just a legend in Nigeria. Their drummer, Frank "CC YoYo" Ankrah, played with Fela in the 80s and was a student of Tony Allen. The mother tongue lyrics of African Connection come from all three Ghanaian members of the band and cover a wide range of social topics. In addition to the songs, the title of the album "Queens and Kings" thematizes the role of women and their oppression. Musically, African Connection combine Highlife, Funk, Afrobeat, Rock'n'Roll and West African traditions, providing significant and modern interpretation and expansion of the genre.
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African Connection - Gbemegiwo
African Connection - Queens and Kings / Album Teaser
Biography
Line-Up:
drums, percussion, vocals - Frank Ankrah 'CC YoYo'
lead guitar - Lasse Aagaard
bass, vocals -Abdulai Issaka Kyemtore
percussion, keyboards - Maggie Cawley
saxophone - Lasse Enöe
drums, percussion - Martin Robert Madsen
African Connection digs deep into the roots of Afrobeat and develops the genre by weaving in modern influences and a twist of rock and roll. The goal of the project is to build a strong international collaboration that not only unites musicians across continents, but also carries musical history into the present.
In 2016, Danish band Junglelyd went on tour in Ghana in collaboration with Ghanaian musician Atongo Zimba. Joining Junglelyd was the legendary former drummer of Fela Kuti, Frank Ankrah ”CC YoYo” and his longtime musical partner Abdulai Kyemtore. Ankrah, a student of Tony Allen, replaced Allen when he left the band in 1978. Abdulai, a very talented Ghanaian bassist and guitarist, also studied Afrobeat in the 70s under the tutelage of Fela Kuti in Nigeria. The chemistry that developed between these musicians after a month on the road was so powerful that a new collaboration was born in the name of African Connection. Recording of the debut album began in Ghana and will be completed in Denmark, highlighting the unique international vibe of the group.