Peter Somuah - Highlife (2024)

Highlife takes listeners on a vibrant journey through the rich musical heritage of Peter Somuah’s Ghanaian roots and the innovative world of jazz. Drawing from his early years playing highlife music in Accra, and blending it with influences from legends like Miles Davis, Somuah creates a unique sound that bridges generations. The album showcases a rich tapestry of instruments, from highlife’s signature rhythmic guitars and percussion to Somuah’s radiant trumpet, weaving a captivating dialogue between highlife and modern jazz. Recorded with vintage analogue equipment, Highlife captures the warmth and grit of 1960s highlife, while propelling the genre into new territories. This album is not only a celebration of Ghana’s musical legacy but also a statement of pride, addressing themes of colonialism and self-empowerment, inviting listeners to reflect and dance to the rhythms of both history and the future of jazz.

Tracklist
01 - The Rhythm (feat. Koo Nimo)
02 - We Give Thanks (feat. Pat Thomas)
03 - Bruce Road
04 - Drumbeat
05 - Chop Chop (feat. Gyedu-Blay Ambolley)
06 - Conqueror
07 - Mental Slavery
08 - Re-imagined
09 - African Continent (feat. Lamisi Akuka)
10 - Jamestown