Making Moves

Although it’s only five years after their debut album, this slow coach follow-up still makes the Santrofi eight-piece sound like a veteran Accra outfit, harking back to the old school Ghanaian sound of the 1970s and 80s. Unfortunately, they have the production to match, as these songs frequently sound quite trebly, presented with an uncertain delivery. This comes as a surprise, given that master producer Jerry Boys is at the controls. Santrofi sound like they will probably sound fine on the live stage, though. The horns are paramount, as the songs display limber funk and Afrobeat traces, with group vocals, organ and cutting guitar spurts. There are brief percussion and saxophone solos, but the short tracks don’t allow any stretching. The title cut has AutoTune and some rapping, but sounds lightweight, then the following ‘Su Nkwa’ is flashy and swift, with pinprick bass, but ‘Gyae Me Haw’ follows soon, with its poor vocal performance over a funky disco vibe. ‘No Money No Honey’ is a perky chirper, with joyful horns and skating organ, but then the album slumps flat with an inconsequential vocal-guitar ballad.