Joe Osei Back With Sweet Highlife Jams

When his debut album Mepe Wo Asem hit the scene in 1998, not very many people knew who Joe Osei was. Coupled with the fact that the album itself wasn't officially launched in Ghana, although it enjoyed a bit of air play, made it a difficult sell. Mepe Wo Asem, however, was quite a success abroad, and the title track, very melodious, established Joe's singing dexterity.

Joe is from the highlife school, having had his musical grounding in the late sixties and seventies when he used to hover around Uhuru House at Asylum Down. In 2001, on the same Flying Elephant label he released the first, Joe brings another collection of danceable highlife tunes in Eye Me De.

Eye Me De contains eight songs on cassette, and an additional four on CD. It has such tunes as Kontomire, a funky computerized refrain, but which also has the distinctive palm-wine guitar feel that gives it its authenticity as a highlife tune. There is also Sesewose, a fast 'garage' number that rolls in the vein of Lumba's Twime. Medowo, another - like all the songs except Abrabo - with a love theme, has an interesting bass line. Abrabo is more advisory, telling how one has to take their time in whatever they do in life. It doesn't pay to rush into doing anything, Joe will have us appreciate.

In all the songs, however, the one thing that stands out, and makes them sweet is Joe's brilliant and soulful voice. There is also good harmony from the background singers. Joe names Pat Thomas as a local artist he looks up to and there are traces of Thomas' vocal style in his work, and this renders them in good stead. He has his own style, though, cleverly weaving through the melodies of each song with delightful accord.

Kumasi born, Joe started singing early, and always knew he wanted to be a musician. Like most parents of their generation, Joe's thought no son of theirs would become a musician, so off they sent him, to England in 1979, to continue studies to become an accountant. After two years at the Waltham Forest College in London Joe packed it in. He formed his own group known as "Jagado". He hit the road, and also did gigs with the Bessa Band (with Bessa Simons) and also, the great afro fusion band Osibisa. "I've done the Jazz Cafe, the Town & Country in London, as well as many venues in Liverpool and places all over England," says Joe, a 'peace, love and understanding' brother who thinks musicians through their music should bring about peace in the world. A Catholic, who attended the St. Peters Catholic School in Kumasi, Joe believes that as musicians, "our job is to make people feel happy". Joe started making people feel happy way back in the 70's when he played with bands like Broadway, El Beats, and on one that he formed together with Peter Yaw Barimah, called 'Coconut 7'. "We were one of the opening acts featured in the Soul 2 Soul concert of 1972 at the Black Star Square when Ike and Tina Turner and co. came to perform in Ghana," says an excited Joe reminiscing about the good old days. Those were the days when he couldn't have enough dosage of his favourite artists like Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke and James Brown. "They made people happy with their music."

That is why he thinks today's youngsters who are playing hip-life should find a good melody that will identify that brand of music, and keep out lyrics that are of an offensive nature. "Hip-life is beautiful music and I think our young people should be encouraged to develop it better by sending out good messages through it," says Joe.

Teddy Osei of Osibisa fame is the producer of Joe albums. "I have played a few tracks to some people in London and their comments were very positive. Joe explores a lot of new things on this collection and his distinctive voice is used to good effect.

"I am happy with the final product," Teddy, who is now a sage-like figure to many emerging, as well as established musicians for his remarkable work with Osibisa, says of Joe.

Joe Osei is currently in town to promote Eye Me De, and is looking forward to arranging a number of gigs. Look out for dates of appearances.