Music lovers thronged the Alliance Francaise recently for a very well curated and unique musical experience. Highlife legend Ebo Taylor kicked off the night with a tight forty minute set backed by his Bonze Konkoma band. Belting tunes from his ‘Love and Death’ album like ‘mizin,’ the album title track, ‘love and death’ and many others he treated the diverse crowd to pulsating Afrobeat/Highlife rhythms.
Glamorous songstress Efya took to the stage in a body-hugging Duaba Serwa, made from woodin , moments after Taylor. The fixations on her sexy outfit quickly faded when her voice touched the microphone. From her new song, ‘Get Away’ to a cover of the old highlife tune by Wuolomei, ‘Meridian,’ the diva showed her range and was worth the wait.
All jazzed up but still expectant, the intimate crowd waited patiently for much buzzed about rapper M.anifest to hit the stage. Akablay & the Abiza Band were standing by to provide backup. ‘Ghana-Must-Go’ was his first number and having been lathered up the excited audience became a standing only one after two songs. They danced to the intoxicating souds and happily indulged in the rapper’s compelling grooves and lyricism. Mostly outdooring songs off his new album, ‘Immigrant Chronicles,’ –including crowd favorite ‘suffer’ – the man affectionately called M doh doh doh ti doh, reached back to his debut to perform favorites such as ‘gentleman’ and ‘babylon breakdown.’ He even added unreleased surprises such as ‘ron your bodi’ which featured E.L and C-Real. The “more vim” chants heard throughout the night from the audience was a testament to their enchantment with M.anifest’s performance.
The highlight of the night though was when the grand papa himself, Reggie Rockstone, totally unexpectedly graced the crowd with his showmanship. The dreadlocked hiplife pioneer joined M.anifest and Efya on stage in a freestyle session at the end of the duo’s collaboration which is appropriately called ‘Asa.’ Also spotted in attendance were Gyedu Blay Ambuley, Lydia Forson, and other favorites in the Ghanaian entertainment industry.
Given the rousing response, it was only right that M dot came out to do an encore. And that he did. The show was sponsored by GT Bank, Mim Cashew Brandy and Woodin and ‘The One Show’s’ PY Addo Annan ably hosted the night.
Fans can catch M.anifest next at his CD signing event at Silverbird Bookstore located in the Accra Mall on Saturday (afternoon) December 31.
Photos: http://on.fb.me/ul837H . Photo Credits: Charles Lawson (Montage) & Kwabena Awuku Photography.
