catch Peter Holslin spinnin’ for the ‘shop
In his home country of Ghana, Pat Thomas is known for being the voice behind a number of highlife and Afrobeat hits throughout the 1970s and ’80s. He was once reportedly crowned “Mr. Golden Voice of Africa,” and among his collaborators were some of the highlife scene’s biggest legends. It’s been a while since Thomas was in the spotlight, but now he’s making a comeback with Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band, a new album out June 16 on Strut that pairs him with an ensemble that includes celebrated highlife arranger Ebo Taylor and cameos from indefatigable Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen.
Passion of the Weiss is proud to premiere a new song off the album, “Me Ho Asem.” Harking back to the analog glory days of the 1970s, the tune combines a deep groove with lithe bass, languid horn riffs, and a tender solo from trumpet player Osei Tutu. In his aged tenor voice Thomas sings of keeping a positive outlook amidst life’s challenges and haters. Everything about this song is deeply funky but also seemingly effortless.
Highlife is a genre with a rich and varied history. It’s been digitized with drum machines and mixed with Twi rap, but with “Me Ho Asem” it’s all about the harmonious horns, which help bring out vibes as purifying as a stint in a sweat lodge.
