Appia Kwa Bridge

About 20 years ago soukous finally wore out its welcome, while West African funk has been around even longer and has also reached saturation point. On this album, Ebo Taylor is backed by competent young German musicians and a few guests, including Tony Allen and original Africa 70 guitarist Oghene Kologbo.

Some songs are based on Fante nursery rhymes, others on war chants. Vintage Farfisa and Wurlitzer organs lend a pleasant retro feel. While the album has plenty of oomph, the melodies fall into familiar patterns. It's redeemed by the fact that it moves away from the predictable Fela groove towards a lighter highlife feel which has more charm.

A highlife song from the 1920s, ‘Yaa Amponsah’, played on two guitars, and the closer ‘Barrima’ played on a single acoustic guitar, stand out.