CULTCHA Clash Outer National Record Review:
African Head Charge - Trip To Bolgatanga
(2023 On-U Sound Records)
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| African Head Charge - Trip To Bolgatanga (2023 On-U Sound Records) |
The first studio album from the group since 2011's Voodoo Of The Godsent (On-U Sound Records), Trip To Bolgatanga finds Bonjo Iyahbinghi Noah, the central figure of African Head Charge since it’s formation in 1981, further expanding the boundaries of ambient, psychedelic dub with African rhythms.
This time around, tempos are up. Not that the group ever confined itself to down tempo rhythms before, quite the contrary, as would become evident with one listen to My Life In A Hole In The Ground, their debut LP that was released by On-U Sound in 1981. The group has had a following amongst garage / house music aficionados for decades, and on this release, a very modern, electronic sound is embraced. Simultaneously, the roots elements of African drums and chants are not left behind, and the popularity of Afro-Beat is fully taken advantage of with the inclusion of African singers & players of instruments, like King Ayisoba, Ghanaian vocalist and kologo (traditional two-stringed guitar like instrument) player on two tracks.
A Bad Attitude is the first tune and features King Ayisoba as well as vocal snippets from Noah, a P.M.A. P.S.A. done the On-U Sound A.H.C. way. This one sets the energy for the album and would surely get the dance floor jumping.
Accra Electronica is another uptempo cut with a familiar bass line and clarinet by Paul Booth. It's a high energy club banger with intense percussion.
The following track, Push Me Pull You brings the BPM down to a more expected dub tempo. The mystical sounding chants that A.H.C. are known for with gliding sub bass, and more horn contributions from Booth that sound organic in contrast. The smashing snares echo like noise from another dimension. This one will be massive played on a proper sound system.
I Chant Too has what reminds me of an The Art Of Noise vibe and is another slower tune that showcases Noah's drumming skills.
Asalatua kicks the tempo back up to a house groove and features additional percussion by Emmanuel Okine (Aka Iu) and Mensah Akaa. The call and response type of chant is captivating.
Side B starts with Passing Clouds, a rather ethereal one which features an arrangement from Ital Horns (David Fullwood & Richard Doswell). Akanuoe Angela from Bolgatanga guests on percussion and backing vocals.
I'm A Winner is another positive reinforcement in the form of an interlude with a bit of a dancehall vibe with wicked synths.
The title track is A Trip To Bolgatanga, a hypnotic groove with percussive triplets that give it a clunky feel which Doug Wimbish's bass rides along fluidly. Paul Booth's fantastic horn arrangement eases the tune out at the end.
Never Regret A Day is another track with positive affirmations chanted over a bouncy track with a funky flute.
The final tune on the album is Microdosing, which further excavates into and creates the vision of a psychedelic Africa pursued by Noah and company for many years, now.
As anyone who follows CULTCHA Clash Outer National knows, we are proponents and advocators for anything On-U Sound related or Adrian Sherwood produced, this one is no exception other than the fact that On-U records are always exceptional, to me. Buy it!
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