Traditional kologo music from the Upper East Region of Ghana brought with the energy and flavor of the ‘Modern Ghanaian’ dance scene. King Ayisoba sings in Frafra, Twi and in English, jumping from his low, guttural growl to moments of piercingly high interjection. He plays the kologo, a two-string guitar with a calabash gourd resonator that allows skilled players to double up hard rhythms with twirling melodic refrains.

Ayisoba learned how to play the kologo from his grandfather, becoming a musical child prodigy throughout the Bolgatanga area thanks to a steady stream of gigs at weddings, funerals and festivals. After moving to Accra and working with late Hiplife star Terry Bon Chaka, King Ayisoba released ‘Modern Ghanaians’, followed by ‘Africa’, becoming a big star in the process. Championed from early on in Europe by Arnold DeBoer (aka Zea) from legendary punk band The Ex, Ayisoba went on to release a collection of songs on DeBoer’s Makkum records.

King Ayisoba played to a packed out OTO back in April and it’s a pleasure to have him back for this year's London African Music Festival, this time with a new album on Makkum and a new backing band in tow. Scottish events collective No Globe join with Café Oto in promoting this event under their ethos of ‘Party Music Beyond Borders’, with several special support acts to be announced nearer the date.

This event is part of the 2014 London African Music Festival.

Interview with King Ayisoba on ACCRA [dot] ALT Radio