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Osibisa

Osibisa (Ghana)

Osibisa are celebratin the 45th anniversary of Osibisa! In the 70s Osibisa was one of the first African bands to gain worldwide popularity with their exceptional mix of African and Caribbean forms. An evening to remember!


Line Up:

Colin Graham (since 1999) – trumpet
Wendell Richardson (founding member) – lead guitar and vocals
Emmanuel Rentzos (since 1976) – keyboards
Gregg Kofi Brown (since 1982) – guitar and vocal
Victor Mensah (since 1994) – bass
Nii Okai Tagoe (since 1995) – percussion
Alex Boateng (since 1999) – drums

On Stage: 8
Travel party: 9




Biography:

Osibisa exploded onto the music world in 1971 with a pulsating and vibrant sound that was to engulf the tired post 60's rock scene. Translated from Ghanaian Osibisa means "criss-cross rhythms that explode with happiness". The band's percussive influence began to manifest itself within the music of their contemporaries. The Osibisa poly-rhythms and percussive breaks were to be an integral feature of the disco boom that was to follow in the late 1970's. Osibisa's unique fusion of African, Caribbean, Rock, Jazz, Latin and R&B paved the way for other potent music forces such as Bob Marley and the emergence of African music in general, in the 1980's. Indeed Osibisa are seen by many as the Godfathers of World Rock Music. One of the important reasons for Osibisa's enduring success has been their highly energetic and extravagant stage show. However their music is still an influential factor in dance music today with no fewer than a dozen covers of "Sunshine Day" which was also used for the Euro 2000 football tournament. For many years now they've toured tirelessly, headlining countless festivals and performing in every far flung corner of the globe. Highlights have included a major tour of India, which resulted in a No.1 Gold Album - an unprecedented achievement for a Western band. The mid 90's saw a re-emergence of Osibisa in North America, where African and Reggae music was & still is gaining popularity. Osibisa have been honoured by President Jerry Rawlings in Ghana where they played a series of concerts celebrating their homecoming. A film of this event is being made into a television program."The enthusiasm shown by the Ghanaian people especially the youth was quite amazing" recalled Teddy Osei Osibisa band leader. A recent appearance at the legendary "Sunsplash Festival" assured the bands continuing popularity as they shared the same stage with the Wailers, Sly & Robbie and Black Uhuru with astounding success. With recent packed out appearances in Cape Town, London, Vienna, Budapest, Lithuania, Estonia and & Switzerland. Osibisa is one of the top "World Rock Music" festival bands.



Discography:

1971 Woyaya - Line
1971 Osibisa - Decca
1972 Heads - Decca
1973 Happy Children - One Way
1974 Osibirock - One Way
1974 Super Fly TNT - Buddah
1976 Ojah Awake - Antilles
1977 Black Magic Night [live] - Bronze
1977 Welcome Home - Antilles
1980 Mystic Energy - Edsel
1984 Live at the Marquee 1983 - Premier
1992 Criss Cross Rhythms - Sound
1992 Sunshine Day - Sound
1992 Warrior - Sound
1995 Unleashed - Red Steel
1995 African Flight - Aim
1997 Monsore - Aim
2003 African Dawn African Flight - Red Steel
2004 Wango Wango - Snapper
2009 Osee Yee - Golden Stool



YouTube Videos:

Osibisa live at Winterthur, Switzerland (2008)

Osibisa live in London, UK (1983)

Osibisa live at Weyfest, UK (2009)

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