Song:This Hustling World
Album:Simigwa
Gyedu-Blay Ambolley is a pioneer in what became known as Highlife music. It mixes African rhythms with funk and jazz. Ambolley plays sax and sings. He was born in Sekwondi, Western Ghana in 1947. After teaching himself to play the flute, Ambolley learned the basics from another Ghanaian music legend Ebo Taylor. He was also influenced by R&B and jazz. This Hustling World is from Ambolley's 1975 debut album Simigwa. His band is called Gyedu-Blay Ambolley and his Creations. Ebo Taylor produced the album. It has been reissued on CD by Mr. Bongo. In the 80s Ambolley was one of the leading lights of what was called Highlife music. I remember hearing this term at the time and I came to the conclusion that it was a marketing term. When I listen to a guy like Ambolley, he has his Ghanaian music base influenced by funk and jazz. It's fun to listen to. Ambolley moved to New York in 1988 and he has lived in the US ever since. He currently lives in Los Angeles and records for his own label. His latest CD 11th Street, Sekondi was released in 2019 on the German label Agogo. Here's Gyedu-Blay Ambolley with Juicebox performing This Hustling World at the 2010 Haarlem Jazz in The Netherlands.
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