West to West

If you had to sum up Nii Okai Tagoe in the reductionist shorthand pigeonholing that the modern world demands, ‘Ghanaian percussionist’ would probably do it. But the phrase fails to do justice to the breadth of his musical experience and ambition. Born in Ghana into a royal family of master drummers and dancers, he's spent the past two decades living in London – and the journey from West Africa to western Europe gives his second solo album its title. Having based himself in the UK, he joined the Adzido Pan-African Dance Ensemble, became the percussionist with veteran Afro-rockers Osibisa and went on to perform with Peter Gabriel and Baka Beyond, among others. He plays balafon and half a dozen different drums – including tama and djembé – in addition to composing and singing all the material. But he's also supported by a diverse cast of international musicians, including various alumni of Osibisa and Baka Beyond. The result is an eclectic set that traces the Yoruba rhythm of Do Weh Madu, from the reggae groove of ‘Doh Wey’ to the desert blues of ‘3 Monkeys’. The Afro-disco explosions of ‘Ley Ley Ley’ feature the fabulous trumpet blasts of Colin Graham, who has played with everyone from Wham! to the Bhundu Boys. The album concludes with Tagoe signing off in simple but deathless fashion with the village chant ‘Mile Mi Ley’, accompanied solely by balafon.