Chale Wote

In the Akan language, fra roughly translates as ‘a mix’ of things, which is an excellent description of the music performed by FRA! Founded in 2015 by a group of six friends living in Accra – Christian Osele (lead vocals), Joshua ‘Virgen’ Boateng (drums, lead vocals), George Gogoe Ashirifie (bass), Emmanuel Selorm Dornyoh (guitar), Ishmael ‘Ayala’ Kugblenu (percussion) and Martin Nyarkotey Adjartey (keyboards) – FRA! draws inspiration from the famed Ghanaian highlife and fusion bands of the late-60s through early 80s, such as The Tempos, Ramblers, and, especially, Osibisa. By melding elements of Afrobeat, highlife, reggae, funk, rock, hip-hop and EDM, among other things, FRA! create an eminently danceable street party soundtrack that radiates endless joules of upbeat, feel-good energy. With its old-school jùjú vibe and exultant refrain, the album's title track captures the soulful side of FRA! (It's no coincidence that Chale Wote is also the name of West Africa's largest annual art and performance festival, which takes place on the streets of Accra). ‘Dumsor’ fuses big band brashness with psych-rock guitar pyrotechnics. The album concludes with a live recording of ‘You Dey Feel the Vibe,’ a hip-shaking Afro-funk-cum-New-Orleans-second-line groove, which serves as the band's unofficial signature tune.