Marquee Records/Right Track [Release date: 23.04.21]
I remember Osibisa as that rather colourful outfit who squeezed into the Old Grey Whistle Test TV studio in the early 1970s with their infectious brand of soulful groove. They purveyed what we would now call world music, a synthesis of west indies calypso, reggae and western funk. To some, it may have been a synthesis too far but the release of a new album will make re-appraisal almost mandatory.
This is the band’s first new album since 2009′s ‘Osei Yee’. The mainstays now are now long-standing members Gregg Kofi Brown (guitar, vocals) and Robert Bailey (keyboards) whilst another original – Teddy Osei – has overseeing production credits.
The elements that were present in the 1970s remain and the vibe of ‘New Dawn’ is good-time soul punctuated by a brass section as typified by “Adjuwa Aye (Go With The Flow)” and ‘Douala’.
The band are at their best with the more straight-ahead funk of ‘Paper Dey Burn’ reminding a little of War and ‘No Fit 4 Street’ which has the added bonus of female vocalists (Angie Anderson and Faye Jones).
Other highlights include ‘O Brunye’, ‘Yo Luv Is Betta’ with Susan Serwah Amoakohene on vocals and ‘Ata Y Che’ which yields the album’s one rock guitar moment.
The spirit of township funk is not far away and present-day Osibisa can still shine a light on darkened times. Definitely an album to return to when the sun shines and after our arms ache less from successive jabs. ****
Review by David Randall
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