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World Music Matters

Ghana's Pat Thomas still living the highlife

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Dubbed "the golden voice of West Africa" Pat Thomas embodied the glory days of Ghanaian highlife in the 60s and 70s alongside the great Ebo Taylor. The music fell out of fashion in the 80s but Thomas never stopped singing. He made a much-praised comeback in 2015 with the Kwashibu Area Band thanks to Ghanian musician and producer Kwame Yeboah and together they've now released another gem: Obiaa! (Everyone).  

Pat Thomas, 72, enjoying leading the highlife revival with the Kwashibu Area Band
Pat Thomas, 72, enjoying leading the highlife revival with the Kwashibu Area Band ©Michelle Chiu
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Listen to Thomas and Yeboah, two generations of highlife, discussing their love of the music, where the "high" in highlife came from and how the younger generation is discovering the importance of this music, the precursor to Nigeria's afrobeat.

"They themselves realise you have to go back to the roots," says Thomas. "We're doing lots of collaborations and it's working out good."

Pat Thomas et le Kwashibu Area Band
Pat Thomas et le Kwashibu Area Band ©Alexis Chabala

Obiaa! is out on Strut Records.

Pat Thomas and the Kwashibu Area Band are on a European tour. You'd be a fool to miss them live. Check out their facebook page for details.

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