Drums of West Africa - Ritual Music of Ghana (Full Album)

Here's another good one:
Lyrichord Stereo LLCT 7307
Unknown date, late 60s to 70s

"The resurgence of interest in uncovering the roots of Black New World cultures has led to a refocusing of attention on the traditional cultures of West Africa. While an extensive literature has been amassed on the Yoruba of Western Nigeria and the Fon of Dahomey, relatively little attention has been paid to an equally important group, the Ewe of South Eastern Ghana. The Ewes are known throughout West Africa for their highly sophisticated traditional drum and dance styles which present polymeter and cross ("hot") rhythms in one of their most advanced forms. These recordings offer a cross section of Anlo Ewe traditional drumming, from social and recreational to ritual and cult music.

The Anlo Ewe, occupying the Guinea Coast from Anloga to Aflao, are to be distinguished from the Ewes of the Northern Volta Region (e.g. Kpando). The culture of the northern Ewes has, over the years, been deeply influenced by Akan culture (impinging from the immediate west), and many Ewes consider Anlo to be the only repository of pure Ewe tradition.

As is typical of much of West Africa, musical performance in Anlo plays a central role in nearly every aspect of traditional life, and is particularly crucial in ritual and cult events. Although it is not strictly accurate to speak of the religious as opposed to the secular in West African cultures (since literally every event is invested with a spiritual character), it is appropriate to draw a line between those ritual activities leading to direct contact with the supernatural (e.g. cult events) and those social and recreational activities where spiritual phenomena, though present, are not the central focus of the event. It is along these lines that the material on this record is divided; Side One presents the dances of a more recreational character and Side Two is devoted entirely to the ritual music of the Blekete Cult.

The recordings on Side One were made at Medina, a small village near Accra. The music is performed by a group from Aflao, led by master drummer George Yao Atoklo, The recordings on Side Two were made at the shrine of Osofo Kowu Zigah, one of the oldest, most renowned Blekete priests in S.E. Ghana. The master drummer recorded here is Mawuko Kwami Kuko."

Recording and Notes by Richard Hill.

https://www.discogs.com/release/29380...