Hot off the heels of last year’s Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds and Ghanaian Blues, Soundway gives us yet another terrific reissue with Hedzoleh, the 1973 debut disc from Ghanaian afro-jazz masters Hedzoleh Soundz. Better known as the back-up band for South African trumpeter Hugh Masekelah, here it appears the band was perhaps better off on their own, as the songs found throughout the record carry a wonderful blend of traditional Ghanaian sounds and a slight hint of 1970s rock. The record’s highlight is “Hedzoleh!”, a seven-minute afro-blues jam session that displays the creative energy the band had at this early point in their career. Consisting of a clever interplay between guitar and flute solos and an acute use of rhythm, the track develops to encourage even the most stubborn to get up and dance. With another solid release to add to their catalogue in Hedzoleh, Soundway has proven yet again to be one of the more exciting record labels currently working. (Soundway Records, www.soundwayrecords.com) Jeff Friesen
Winnipeg music & culture since 1989