„Life has never been easy, so keep moving“ is the opening line of Making moves, the title song of Santrofi‘s new album. Four years ago their celebrated debut ‚Alewa‘ introduced this 8 piece Highlife collective powerhouse from Accra to the world. After bringing their fresh Highlife energy to festivals all over Europe and lately to Japan, Santrofi is finally back with a new offering.
The first single Amina is a Ghanaian childhood game turned Highlife Funk. It draws from the past, pushing it into the future. The song is the perfect introduction to Santrofi’s new release Making moves which is both a celebration of Santrofi’s roots and a leap into the future of Highlife. The album delves deep into raw Highlife grooves but also introduces a new vibe of funk driven dancefloor bangers and soulful songs reflecting on life which is „not always easy“. The songs revive the typical golden day Highlife vibe with stories full of advice on how to cope with life and it’s temptations. The upcoming album sees the band teaming up with some of the most exciting newcomers on Ghana‘s musicscene such as AratheJay, Kofi Jamar and rapicon Amerado.
And if you might think it is impossible to play a funk (or even a drill) groove over a pulsing Highlife clave: Santrofi will prove you wrong. Listen to the phrasing of Santrofi‘s horn section, hear the heartbeat of Highlife running through every bar of their music. Santrofi are pushing Ghanas Highlifegrooves into the future.
Santrofi was formed only 5 years ago but a group of dedicated young musicians with a shared love for the music they grew up with: Highlife. The band‘s energy comes straight from the source. This supergroup headed by bassplayer Emmanuel Kwadwo Ofori unites some of Ghana’s best live musicians: the members have played in the bands of countless Ghanaian artists including Ebo Taylor, Pat Thomas, Ambolley and even Highlife pioneer AB Crentsil, with whom they recorded just before he passed away (watch out for that!). But they have also shared stages and studios with Ghanas popular new stars jamming and recording with the likes of Kidi, Yaw Tog, Black Sherif and even Nigerian superstar Wizkid, who has made Accra his second home.
