Highlife classics from London

They have collaborated for other artistes and featured on each other’s works over the years and now London-based guitarist Kari Bannerman and singer Paulina Oduro have teamed up for a joint production they refer to as the Highlife Classics Project.

The project allows Paulina and Kari to journey to the heart of highlife music and bring their own special touches to some of their favourite gems from the 1960s and 1970s when the music was extremely popular in West Africa and abroad.

Information available at Kari’s website on the Internet indicate that the duo have already given a taste of their project to audiences at a few live shows in London.

Musicians are using the catchy guitar lines, bubbling bass riffs and rocking brass section of classic highlife to create something new with modern grooves.

Kari and Paulina are very familiar with earlier and contemporary trends in highlife and music industry followers here believe their combined talents will spring something exceptional.

“One can only expect the best from such a pair because they are well steeped in the tradition and are innovators as well,” said Dr Kwesi Owusu of Creative Storm who has known and worked with both artistes for many years.

”Incidentally, Kari and Paulina are in my documentary film on highlife due to come out next month called Singing For Freedom. They are wonderful artistes.”

Kari is one of Ghana’s most renowned and versatile guitarists. He founded the progressive Boombaya Band in the early 1970s but the unit broke up after a tour of Europe.

Kari has lived in England since the mid-1970s where he has been a sought-after guitarist for both live performances and studio work. Kari toured the world with Osibisa, recorded several albums with them and was awarded a gold disc for Osibisa’s tour of India.

Born in Sekondi, Paulina grew up in Japan and England. She is widely-travelled and has sung with zouk, reggae, jazz and highlife bands. Paulina has recorded two albums of her own.

Kari and Paulina are two of Ghana’s busiest musicians on the London scene and their celebration of one of Africa’s greatest musical styles through the Highlife Classics Project should bring pleasure to many.