Woyaya
by Osibisa
- Type: Album
- Released: 1971
- Label: MCA
- Country: United Kingdom/Ghana
- Community rating: 4.11/5 from 5 ratings
Artists on this release: Spartacus R, Mac Tontoh, Teddy Osei, Robert Bailey, Wendell Richardson, Sol Amarfio, Loughty Lasisi Amao
Album Notes & Community Reviews
On their second album 'Woyaya', the Ghanaian and Caribbean group Osibisa solidified their pioneering fusion of African rhythms with rock, funk, and jazz. Produced by Tony Visconti, the album features intricate arrangements built upon a dense foundation of percussion, a dynamic horn section, and Santana-like guitar work, creating a sound that is simultaneously rhythmically complex and melodically accessible. The title track, a hopeful anthem meaning "We are going" in the Ga language, gained significant cultural traction and was notably covered by Art Garfunkel.
Genres
Descriptors: funky, percussive, grooves, jamming, spirituality, rhythmic, vocal, melodic
Tracklist
- Beautiful Seven (06:46)
- Y Sharp (06:21)
- Spirits Up Above (07:18)
- Survival (06:19)
- Move On (04:34)
- Rabiatu (05:07)
- Woyaya (04:28)
Credits
- Teddy Osei - tenor saxophone, flute, african drums, percussion, vocals
- Sol Amarfio - drums, fontomfrom, bongos, african drums, cowbells, percussion, vocals
- Mac Tontoh - trumpet, flugelhorn, cowhorn, kabasa, percussion, vocals
- Spartacus R (Roy Bedeau) - bass guitar, prempensua, assorted percussion
- Wendell Richardson - lead guitar, vocals
- Robert Bailey - organ, piano, timbales, percussion, vocals
- Loughty Lasisi Amao - tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, flute, congas, fontomfrom
- Osibisa choir - friends and lovers
- Tony Visconti - producer
- John Punter - engineer
- Roger Dean - cover illustration, osibisa logo
- Roughedge - cover design