As we released our fifth vinyl, out March 25, 2022, on Ubiquity Records, I wanted to put together a playlist that really represents the sounds that influenced us on our newest 45, Yen Ni Agoro b/w Wo Nkoa Na Mendo featuring Ghanaian musician, Osei Korankye.
At its core, I think of Super Yamba Band as something like The JBs meets T.P. Orchestre Poly Rhytmo meets Sly and the Family Stone meets Afrika 70 meets The Meters. But the two tracks, Yen Ni Agoro b/w Wo Nkoa Na Mendo, were most inspired by funk from the 1970s in Ghana—Pat Thomas, Ebo Taylor, Marijata.
Osei is one of the last remaining Seperewa musicians, a stringed harp instrument from Ghana, with a dynamic, beautiful vocal style. I met Osei in 2016 in NYC and had an immediate connection with him—playing a few gigs together and listening to vinyl at my apartment. I remember sitting on the couch in my apartment in Brooklyn, listening to a Pat Thomas record, while Osei was texting with Pat Thomas himself. He was surprised that I was so into this very specific era of music from his country.
It was such an honor to connect with Osei and work together on Yen Ni Agoro b/w Wo Nkoa Na Mendo. It came together so naturally and I’m glad that we get to share it with the world.