Ginger Johnson and his African Messengers: African Party

The release of the compilation album Highlife on the Move: Selected Nigerian & Ghanaian Recordings from London & Lagos 1954-66 (Soundway Records, 2015) threw light on the often-neglected role that the London scene of the fifties and sixties played in the development of Highlife and Afrobeat music, during a time before the term "World Music" had been coined. Among a plethora of fine African ensembles, that album featured some seminal tracks by future superstar Fela Kuti who was resident in London from 1958 to 1963. Just as importantly, the compilation also featured the man who was a mainstay of the London scene and mentored the young Kuti—Ginger Johnson. Now comes the timely reissue—on CD, LP and MP3—of African Party, the only album ever released by Johnson and his group the African Messengers.

Recorded in March 1967, at Sound Techniques Studio in Chelsea, London, African Party features ten tracks, with a total running time of thirty-five minutes, all credited as Ginger Johnson compositions. The sound quality is excellent throughout, with every detail crystal clear. Every track is propelled along by the irresistible rhythmic barrage provided by the African Messenger's percussion which included congas and talking drums. Over the top of this solid foundation the group provides a stream of compelling solos on a range of instruments including saxophones, brass and flute plus high-energy vocals provided by the entire ensemble together.

One of the failings of the album (as with so many of its era) is that it does not supply any details of the group's instrumentation or personnel, so due credit cannot be given to the musicians who generated the excellent instrumental work heard here. In no way does that detract from the sheer joyous energy that the album delivers from start to end. African Party was well titled; from first note to last its infectious music sets pulses racing and demands that the listener dance to it. The welcome return of a classic album.