Wahala Wahala

Wahala means ‘Problem’ or ‘Trouble’, but I had no problem enjoying this album. It is high-energy and punchy, as you'd expect from a nine-piece with highlife, funk and Afrobeat influences. But (and this particular artistic sensitivity sometimes goes amiss) there are much-appreciated moments of respite provided by juicy reggae and soul scattered throughout. The British and Jamaican accents heard in the rapping are a happy discovery – lots of Ghanaian hip-hop features a feigned American twang – so it is great to hear an authentic cosmopolitan sound from the Sheffield-based group.

A particular highlight is ‘For My People’, a call-and-response mantra punctuated by frantic moments of thumping bass and blasting horns; you can watch the animated music video on the Songlines website. The song ‘is a cry for freedom and love amongst all people in spite of hardships,’ says KOG. ‘It's a song celebrating our roots as Africans with sweet guitars and drums and township grooves.’ KOG (Kweku of Ghana) leads a band with tight arrangements, powerful vocals and inventive compositions that go beyond your typical Afrobeat album. Wahala Wahala is an energetic celebration of togetherness and African identity (the band's motto is ‘Unity in Diversity’). Highly recommended.