Once again, Obiba Collins, one of the few Ghanaian musicians who have stuck to their highlife roots has added a new song to his growing catalogue of unique songs composed, arranged and produced the traditional way although with strong elements of modern musical styles.
Without departing from the old, tried and tested lyrical formula which has been the signature of highlife music from the days of Nana Ampadu and the guitar band (palm wine music) days of yore, Obiba brought up lyrics which even back then was geared to advising both old and young on how to live their lives with examples touching on love, morality and respect for the elderly and unfortunate.
As the multi-instrumentalist pointed out in a short interview with us, his desire to stick to his musical roots despite the advent of new genres is borne out of his conviction ‘… that highlife music can never die; it’s an African rhythm from the west coast … it’s our thing and that is what differentiates our music from those of other part of the world. No matter how well we play reggae for example, it will still not sound like what the Jamaicans play. Same thing with our music; no one can play highlife better than the West Africans, we have to stick to eat and add innovations to it to make it gain that worldwide which some genres of music have garnered and now recognised as mainstream music,’ he explained.
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Rhythmically, all those who want to listen to the pure unadulterated highlife should look forward to this single which will soon be on the music shelves especially on the online platforms where it is sure to make a good impression on listeners.
Rendered in a mix of languages – Akan, English, Yoruba and Igbo, this song, Show some love, seems to be a continuation of the theme of love and empathy towards all fellow humans which he began in Wonko menko to be followed by One day, Love is the key, Real love and E’joo in which he paid tribute to a lot of African leaders whose lives are worthy of emulation.
In Show some love which promises to be another highlife headliner, he cited some very prominent Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians for their selfless contribution to the welfare of society. Chief among them is business mogul Elder Amo Tobin chairman of famous Tobinco Pharmaceutical Company and his wife for their humanitarian activities especially for the less privileged.
Continuing in that vein, he used that theme to educate fellow Africans to extend that fellow-feeling and care to each and every one no matter that suffering individual’s tribe, religious conviction, sex or language.
Outside the well-known pharmaceutical manufacturer’s appreciation, the singer found time to mention other individuals of note as well. They include Frank Nelson, a director of Accra Hearts of Oak SC Club and his wife Frieda most especially for his unflagging commitment to steer the one time African Champions Cup winners from their recent dark days back to a winning side in contention for the Ghana Premier League diadem.
He also commended Chief Jude Chukwudi Ihenatu, the king of the Ndigbo community and his wife Liberty for their mediation roles among their kinsmen whenever there seems to be a disagreement even with their Ghanaian hosts.
Obiba remembered one of Ghana’s retired outstanding footballers, Tony Baffoe, who is now the deputy secretary general of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, and his actress wife Kalsoume Baffoe concluding with Atinka Fm’s Kwabena Agyeman alias Roma Fada for his support for his musical odyssey.
For connoisseurs of highlife music, this is one that will definitely bring back memories of yesteryears when that genre ruled the airwaves. Though it is making a gradual return, it is not as loud as it should be as many singers – both male and female – have decided to kowtow and play cheap bubble gum music believing that it is the surest and fastest way to make money out of music. Unfortunately as always happens to the bubble gum it is spat out as soon as the sugary flavour wears off and this has been the fate of many Ghanaian singers who have become one album hit makers never to be heard of again in this easy come easy go musical journey. The music fails to be relevant and though it might survive for a period, it drops out of the DJ’s playlist, as we have seen many do, as soon as the next label releases another piece of hurriedly produced and arranged music which lacks the right musical ingredients but gets to be listened to anyway because of the existence of many radio stations each looking for music to entertain their listeners, thus these trashy music still get some airplay.
We have played it, heard it and all we can say, crossing our hearts is that this single, Show some love must be among everybody’s highlife music collection most especially at a time like this when few good sound is being produced in Ghana.
This is another Sly Collins’ highlife signature tune worthy for reflection on.
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