Ghana’s Highlife revivalists Santrofi release new single “Amina”

Four years after their celebrated debut album ‘Alewa‘ introduced this 8-piece Highlife collective powerhouse from Ghana’s capital Accra to the world, Santrofi return with a brand-new single “Amina” (out now).

The song is the perfect introduction to the band’s forthcoming album ‘Making Moves’ (due out on 18 October) 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” (“Life has never been easy, so keep moving” is the opening line of “Making Moves”, the title song of Santrofi‘s new album.)

Santrofi was formed just five years ago by a group of dedicated young musicians with a shared love for the music they grew up with: Highlife. This supergroup headed by bass player 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, as well as Highlife pioneer AB Crentsil, with whom they recorded just before he passed away.

They have also shared stages and studios with Ghana’s 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. Since their formation Santrofi have brought their fresh Highlife energy to festivals all over Europe, including Roskilde (Denmark), FMM Sines (Portugal) and WOMAD (UK), and lately have also gone down a storm in Japan.

The song brings our childhood memories back to life”­. “Amina, it’s a folkloric thing. Back in the day when we were kids, there used to be this game that had two girls playing around, they’re clapping together and they say these words: Amina, amena, shematare, menshe, adetia, telaoho, opemamame. We thought the best way to be able to bring our childhood to today’s life is to put melodies in there and then put some rhythms in there and make music out of it.”

Emmanuel Ofori

The new single “Amina” is a Ghanaian childhood game turned Highlife Funk. Band leader Emmanuel Ofori explains: “The song brings our childhood memories back to life”­. “Amina, it’s a folkloric thing. Back in the day when we were kids, there used to be this game that had two girls playing around, they’re clapping together and they say these words: Amina, amena, shematare, menshe, adetia, telaoho, opemamame. We thought the best way to be able to bring our childhood to today’s life is to put melodies in there and then put some rhythms in there and make music out of it.”

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