Gbεfalɔi (Travellers)

Accra Quartet are a trio of Ghanaian players joined by an American, although the latter spends most of his musical time in various African lands. Recorded in Accra (of course), the remarkable sound of this record is arrived at via an unusual blend of spaciousness and performing intensity. The quartet’s mostly acoustic sound is driven by a lusty delivery, in terms of structuring riffs and high, clear vocal enthusiasm with robust trombone and toned-down electric guitar chancing upon water-burbling percussion and tiny bongo or woodblock tattoos. Minimalism abounds, but the melodies and rhythms rise beyond these acoustic properties, lending an almost manic quality as they subtly power each extended song. There are instruments that sound bizarrely akin to didgeridoo and jangling Vietnamese strings, with coatings of echo, and a hectic chatter of incantatory voices. This is environmental folk music found at its peak, imbued with a powerfully distinctive style.