As both a popular live act and in-demand studio musicians, Vis-A-Vis released 13 albums between 1975 and 1982, of which Obi Agye Me Dofo remains the most sought after. Led by vocalist Isaac “Superstar” Yeboah and featuring Sammy Cropper on guitar, Slim Manu on bass and Gybson “Shaolin Kung-Fu” Papra on drums, Vis-A-Vis helped propel K. Frimpong to fame as one of Ghana’s most popular stars of the 1970s. On some of Frimpong’s albums, they also overlapped as part of his other recording band, the Cubano Fiestas.
Obi Agye Me Dofo’s iconic title track, with its lilting Afrobeat groove embellished by jazz horns, cosmic synth keys and wandering guitar solo, is very much in the mold of Frimpong’s big hits. The eight-minute Kankyema shows how Vis-A-Vis could lock into a propelling funk groove with Superstar Yeboah’s soulful vocals riding on top, whilst, across side two, Vis-A-Vis display themselves as masters of a spiralling, hypnotic Highlife.
As We Are Busy Bodies begins its roll out the Vis-A-Vis catalogue, it will also simultaneously release another essential album by the group, 1976s Odo Gu Ahorow. Original copies of both LPs are scarce and in great demand, with Obi Agye Me Dofo briefly issued as an LP in the US in 1980, and again in 2011 by Continental Records. Along with the Frimpong albums, they remain some of the most sought after West African records from the golden age. These reissues have been handled with the utmost respect — every detail has been given strict attention and care, with albums being remastered by Senior Mastering Engineer, Noah Mintz at Lacquer Channel.
Includes unlimited streaming of Obi Agye Me Dofo
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Simply breathtaking... really a lost classic!
Two tracks from the album are featured on "Next Stop... Soweto" (Vol. 2 + 3), that series was the inspiration for this release, you can find it in my collection :) Ordinary Joe
Amazing synthesizer & electric guitar jams that are pure in folk music essence, while really adhering to a rock n roll plus rock uptempo dub reggae vibe. cherub420
Raw energy, pure inspiration filtered through the west African mojo. Incredible musicians jamming on a cool riff and having a complete conversation through riffs and stabs. What isn’t there to love! Reminds me of the feel of a late 60’s /early 70’s psych cumbia mix from S. America that a similar company compiled and released; folks who appreciates the lost recordings of time, place and inspiration through the lenses of their vibes. gibkel1