SONG OF THE DAY Ebo Taylor – Egya Edu

---

Following on from yesterday’s jubilant vibe comes a track from Ghanaian guitarist, singer, composer, bandleader and record producer, Ebo Taylor.

Ebo Taylor emerged in the 1950’s, initially as part of the Broadway Dance Band and Stargazers before entering into a solo career.  Fusing highlife with soul, funk and jazz Ebo Taylor was often accompanied by his bands the Blue Monks, Sweet Beans and the Pelicans.

Today’s song comes from Ebo Taylor And The Pelikans’ self-titled album which was recently reissued via UK label Mr Bongo in November last year (I’ve just been researching the original which is still fetching good money!).  For this album Ebo joined forces with The Pelikans, a 12-piece band from the Cape Coast region of Ghana led by Bessa Simmona, with rhythm guitarist Fifi Orleans Lindsay.  With lyrics sang in both English and Fante, this was the first album which featured Ebo’s vocals and has been labelled as “a genuine ‘holy-grail’ of Ghanaian music and one of Ebo’s most sought-after”

Egya Edu is a glorious upbeat track with its funky guitar and vibrant horn section, check it out above and listen/purchase the whole album from here.