Akofa Akoussah

Funky, soulful, groovy, Akofa Akoussah’s 1976 album is a real jewel, and one that helped put tiny Togo on the musical map back in the day. Traditional rhythms mix with wah wah guitars and syrupy sax lines, an influence of the American funk sounds that were sweeping the continent in the 1970s, while songs like “Mitso Aseye” are more clearly influenced by South African super star Miriam Makeba, who Akoussah even performed with. Album closer “I Tcho Kass” is a smoldering, bluesy track that goes deep.