Okyerema Asante

★★★

Drum Message STRUT. CD/DL/LP

Repackaged reissue of loose Afro-jazz fusion project.

Ghanaian master percussionist Okyerema Asante got to America backing Hugh Masekela. There, a chance encounter with Plunky Branch brought him into Afrocentric funk act Oneness Of Juju. Drum

Message was cut in 1977 with Oneness musicians plus Gil Scott-Heron collaborator Brian Jackson playing subdued piano on two tracks. The percussion is multidimensional throughout, with traditional polyrhythms offset by birdcalls and peppery accents, as heard most forcefully on Adowa, but much of the album is loosely improvised, its meandering melodies aimlessly drifting. Peaks include the lilting groove of Asante Sana, with its rousing female choruses, and the shimmering Sabi floorshaker, though Never Fly Away From The Funk and Play A Sweet Rhythm On Them Drums are heavily commercial. Only previously issued in a small run on CD in 1993, this new edition is totally remastered, with bonus tracks and a fascinating Asante interview.