Simigwa

On the opening track of this album, which was originally released in 1975, the Ghanaian bandleader Gyedu-Blay Ambolley recites a litany of James Brown song titles. It offers a major clue to his influences and traces of the Godfather of Soul can be heard everywhere throughout Simigwa – in the rhythm section, horns, percussion and vocal style – although all is passed through a local highlife filter.

Ambolley, who turned 70 last year, has become something of a cult figure among crate-diggers in recent times, with releases on Soundway and Analog Africa, while he continues to release new material, most recently 2015's TheAfrican Soul. His discography lists 29 albums recorded over a 40-year career, but it's hard to imagine he's ever sounded much better than he does on Simigwa, not least due to the presence of Ghanaian legend Ebo Taylor as producer and writer. Around the time Simigwa was recorded, both Taylor and Ambolley were making regular visits to Lagos where they played at legendary venue The Shrine with Fela Kuti, a fellow James Brown aficionado and clearly a musical soulmate. One of the most welcome reissues of the year.