Gonje music comes alive tonight

Gonje was formed five years ago by Prof. Karikari. The group has lived up to its full billing of how well traditional music is anchored and the accompanying excitement levels it generates.

To say that the group has quality is an understatement. Theirs is a perfect blend of rural and traditional folkloric expression - the type that makes World Music artistes like Salif Keita, Habib Koite and Oumou Sangari thick, adored and acclaimed.

Gonje's hybrid is one that does not rely on the already known musical sound recording techniques, like the use of computer technology.

Instead, they use local African instruments like the xylophone, flute, calabash, drums and several others.

Today the British Council in Accra will witness a night of pure display of rhythmic Ghanaian tunes sang in Ewe, Twi, Ga, Frafra, Dagarti and Hausa from one of the best things to happen to traditional music in Ghana. It will be the launch of the second album of the group, 'Ekome'. The album comprises 12 Ghanaian folkloric tunes borne out of sheer brilliance and instincts.

Gonje is made up of eight talented and intuitive men and women who are helping in making true the sort of freshness that lies in traditional music. Even though their first album was not well marketed, they hope to achieve a lot with this one.

In an interview with The Mail, Prof. Kwame Karikari, manager of the group said they are going to help push this album to its highest levels.

"The last album, didn't receive the attention it deserved, so this album's marketing is going to be very aggressive since we know the quality the album is made of".

Tonight's performance will be purely traditional music devoid of any modern day computer-aided tunes. The prescribed dress code is the very traditional kente cloth, the northern smock and other suitable clothes that symbolize Ghana's rich and varied culture.

Also performing on the night is the Noyam Dance Group directed by Professor Nii Yartey of the School of Performing Arts, Legon.