You are here
Funky Rob Way
The partnership between Ghanaian singer Rob ‘Roy’ Raindorf and his backstage godfather Amponsah Rockson has produced some peerless West African funk.
Rob 'Roy' Raindorf is the kind of ambassador needed to explode a growing music genre into the mainstream. He looks every inch a superstar; one wonders if he had been appointed by a backstage godfather of the 70's Ghanaian funk scene, tailored and groomed to seduce as many listeners as possible.
Take the front cover of this compilation of his best work. We see a man in an ice white, sleeveless suit bent double over a microphone, brow furrowed and eyes squeezed shut. His shirt is unbuttoned past the abdominals. His sideburns, goatee and moustache display some masterful work with a razor blade. A close inspection of the cover allows us to speculate on the wet microphone sounds that can be heard on this record - perhaps the audible wetness is not due to spit but the fact that Rob's skin is glistening with a fine sheen of sweat, and one could be forgiven for mistaking the mic for a loofah sponge by his close proximity.
This forthcoming compilation comes as an acknowledgement by Analog Africa of Rob's impact on the label. As an equal part of their Limited Dance Edition he is being mentioned in the same breath as the fantastic Orchestre Poly Rythmo, a band whom he gigged with at Cotonou music school. Rob returned to Ghana after education. In all the recordings here he is backed by the "magnificent" second battalion, affectionately known as the Mag-2, a horn heavy army unit based in Takoradi.
The general sound of the band does little to surprise in the way of funk guitar licks, driving horns and militant-slick production. Rob's grunts and exclamative calls - "Boogie on!" "Funky!" "Gimme some more!" "Loose up!" - make him a flawless James Brown imitator. However, it is in Amponsah Rockson, the founding member of the Mag-2, that we find our backstage godfather. Rockson is credited with both the chord progression and the horn arrangement. On live performances, Rob would wait for Rockson's cue before singing. The resulting sound is a collaborative effort, and the Mag-2 live up to their name in bringing funk to West Africa.
Funky Rob Way is due for release on June 13.
About the Author
Music Critic
Clyde Macfarlane is a social anthropology graduate from Manchester University. While studying he was a regular travel writer and music critic for Student Direct, specialising in Caribbean and African music genres. In 2009 he won a Guardian Student Media Award, and he has since had articles published for the paper. Follow Clyde on twitter.
 |
 |
 |
Comments
Ghanaian funk is awesome! Very funny review, I rated the intense cover analysis. Made me laugh loads. What a creative style, Rob would approve! roll on June 13th, can't wait!
Just got my copy in, and it's a terrific album with the same track order as the original version, fantastic artwork (carton packaging with the original album cover on one of the pages, and a short history of the artist and album), great sound quality, but most of all that highly addictive original off the hook cosmic Afro-funk by Rob. Also check out the re-issue of the first album by Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou Dahomey, also available and sold directly.
Glad you liked it! For more in similar vein check out this, particularly Action 13's More Bread To The People:
http://www.soundwayrecords.com/catalogue/nigeria-rock-special.html