Julien Lebrun and Djamel Hammadi's Paris-based afro-soul and tropical funk imprint Hot Casa Records is literally a hotbed of quality releases and reissues and always worth a visit. The label has apparently also managed to license many a rare hi-life and afro-funk album from the family of late Ghanaian singer and composer Alhaji Kwabena Frimpong, or simply K. Frimpong.
Born in 1939 in Ofoase in Ghana's Ashanti Akim district, K. Frimpong launched his musical career right after elementary school, joining several bands the likes of Star de Republic, Oko's Guitar Band or K. Gyasi & His Noble Kings. Eventually he began leading his own outfits to deserved acclaim, including his Super Complex Sounds, Vis-A-Vis and his Cubanos Fiesta (made up of former Vis-A-Vis members).
At the tail end of last year, Hot Casa remastered and reissued the classic album "Me Da A Onnda" by K. Frimpong and his Cubanos Fiesta for the very first time. Originally released on Polydor in 1980, the record nowadays is almost impossible to find and hardly affordable. The four album tracks are infectiously groovy and danceable, boasting a certain laid-back musical aplomb that is impossible to resist. Combine that with ridiculous musicality, ornate and funky rhythms and the indelible spirit of hi-life and you have yourself nothing short of a masterpiece.
Stream/buy the full album on Bandcamp and keep your eyes out for a follow-up reissue as hinted at in the video below.