v/a- ESSIEBONS SPECIAL: Ghana Music Power House 1973-1984 2LP

Includes d/l code and 12pg booklet. Gatefold sleeve.

After opening West Africa's first record pressing plant in 1967, Essilfie-Bondzie's Dix and Essiebons labels were synonymous - for most of the 1970s - with the best in modern highlife, and his roster was a who's-who of highlife legends. C.K. Mann, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Kofi Papa Yankson, Ernest Honny, Rob 'Roy' Raindorf and Ebo Taylor all released some of their greatest music under the Essiebons banner.

Essiebons Special features a selection of obscure workouts from some of the label's heaviest hitters. But in the course of digitising his vast archive of master tapes, Essilfie-Bondzie found a number of Afrobeat and instrumental masterpieces tracks from the label's mid-70s golden age that, for one reason or another, had never been released. Those songs are included here for the first time.

Sadly Essilfie-Bondzie passed away shortly before the compilation was finished. But his legacy lives on in the extraordinary music that he gave to the world in his lifetime.

A1. Kofi Psych - Ernest Honny
A2. Dee Mmaa Pe - Joe Meah
A3. Yeaba - CK Mann and His Carousel 7
B1. Shakabula - Santrofi-Ansa
B2. Tinitini - Seaboy and Nyame Bekyere
B3. Ahwene Pa Nkasa - Joe Meah
B4. Ernest Special - Ernest Honny
C1. Africa - Seaboy
C2. Medley (Broken Heart, Aunty Yaa, Omo Yaba (Nzema)) - Nyame Bekyere
C3. Say The Truth - Ernest Honny
D1. Wonnim A Bisa - Black Masters Band
D2. Egye Tu Gbe - Sawaaba Sound
D3. Fa W'Akoma Ma Me - CK Mann Big Band
D4. Odo Mframa - Ernest Honny