Highlife
Peter Somuah (trumpet)
A suitably vintage analogue aesthetic informs this attention-grabbing sophomore album…here he reinforces jazz's African origins and investigates British colonial interference along the way.
Highlife
Peter Somuah (trumpet)
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A suitably vintage analogue aesthetic informs this attention-grabbing sophomore album…here he reinforces jazz's African origins and investigates British colonial interference along the way.
About
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.
Contents and tracklist
- Peter Somuah, Peter Somuah (trumpet), Pat Thomas, Jesse Schilderink (tenor saxophone), Anton de Bruin (keyboards), Anton de Bruin (modular synth), Anton de Bruin (rhodes piano), Jens Meijer (drums), Danny Rombout (chekere), Marijn van de Ven (double bass), Bright Osei Baffour (guitar)
- Peter Somuah, Peter Somuah (trumpet), Jesse Schilderink (tenor saxophone), Anton de Bruin (keyboards), Anton de Bruin (modular synth), Anton de Bruin (rhodes piano), Jens Meijer (drums), Danny Rombout (chekere), Marijn van de Ven (double bass)
- Peter Somuah, Peter Somuah (trumpet), Jesse Schilderink (tenor saxophone), Anton de Bruin (keyboards), Anton de Bruin (modular synth), Anton de Bruin (rhodes piano), Jens Meijer (drums), Danny Rombout (chekere), Marijn van de Ven (double bass)
- Peter Somuah, Peter Somuah (trumpet), Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Jesse Schilderink (tenor saxophone), Anton de Bruin (keyboards), Anton de Bruin (modular synth), Anton de Bruin (rhodes piano), Jens Meijer (drums), Danny Rombout (chekere), Marijn van de Ven (double bass), Bright Osei Baffour (guitar)
- Peter Somuah, Peter Somuah (trumpet), Jesse Schilderink (tenor saxophone), Anton de Bruin (keyboards), Anton de Bruin (modular synth), Anton de Bruin (rhodes piano), Jens Meijer (drums), Danny Rombout (chekere), Marijn van de Ven (double bass)
- Peter Somuah, Peter Somuah (trumpet), Jesse Schilderink (tenor saxophone), Anton de Bruin (keyboards), Anton de Bruin (modular synth), Anton de Bruin (rhodes piano), Jens Meijer (drums), Danny Rombout (chekere), Marijn van de Ven (double bass)
- Peter Somuah, Peter Somuah (trumpet), Jesse Schilderink (tenor saxophone), Anton de Bruin (keyboards), Anton de Bruin (modular synth), Anton de Bruin (rhodes piano), Jens Meijer (drums), Danny Rombout (chekere), Marijn van de Ven (double bass)
- Peter Somuah, Peter Somuah (trumpet), Lamisi Akuka, Jesse Schilderink (tenor saxophone), Anton de Bruin (keyboards), Anton de Bruin (modular synth), Anton de Bruin (rhodes piano), Jens Meijer (drums), Danny Rombout (chekere), Marijn van de Ven (double bass), Bright Osei Baffour (guitar)
Awards and reviews
February 2025
A suitably vintage analogue aesthetic informs this attention-grabbing sophomore album…here he reinforces jazz's African origins and investigates British colonial interference along the way.