Highlife music is characterized by a distinctive finger-picking guitar style, minimalistic bass lines, percussive keyboard patterns, and soulful brass melodies, with a strong emphasis on rhythm.
Cultural Impact
The album connects Ghana's older and younger generations of musicians, featuring both established artists and young Ghanaian talents.
Composer Biography
Peter Somuah, who grew up playing in highlife bands, blends elements of highlife with jazz, creating what he calls 'highlife jazz' on this album.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Peter Somuah's album "Highlife" is an homage to the Ghanaian highlife music tradition and features legends of the genre.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The album conveys heartfelt messages about social justice, healing, and gratitude, while also encouraging listeners to dance.
Historical Context
The name of the highlife genre itself refers to the fact that it was originally enjoyed mostly by the colonial elite in Ghana, who lived the 'high life'.
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