December 3, 2021
Analog Africa
2xLP
In 1959, Dick Essilfie-Bondzie launched Essiebons, the Ghanian label responsible for some of Africa's most effervescent highlife. He is credited with the release of the first ever Ghanian LP. The likes of Ebo Taylor and C.K. Mann graced his banner, and had albums printed at the plant Essilfie-Bondzie launched in 1967in conjunction with Phillips Records — West Africa's first. Essiebons released a film documenting the rise of Ghanian music, Roots to Fruit, in 1967. His contributions to the globally recognition of Africa's (let alone Ghana's) music scene are enormous, and so he was rightfully deserving of the compilation/tribute that became Essiebons Special. The compilation acts as a survey of his legacy, as well as a belated birthday gift to Dick, who passed away last year at the ripe age of 90. At the time of his death he was the he president of Record Producers and Music Publishers Association of Ghana (REPPAGH). He remained funky as hell 'til the day he died.