LINDA AYUPUKA God Created Everything LP

POMARAŃCZOWY WINYL

Pulsing electro-Fra Fra and DIY Afro-gospel combine on God Created Everything, the debut album by Ghanaian singer Linda Ayupuka, forthcoming June 2022 on Mais Um.

Reminiscent of recent releases by Otim Alpha (Nyege Nyege) and Ata Kak, God Created Everything captures the rawness and immediacy of early-career recordings from the likes of Oumou Sangaré and Rokia Traoré, and heralds a new West African vocal talent – Linda Ayupuka.

Produced by Francis Ayamga, (King Ayisoba, This Is FraFra Power!), at his locally renowned Top Link Studio in Bongo, Northern Ghana, God Created Everything features eight highly charged exchanges of polyrhythmic dancefloor beats where Linda and Francis channel traditional Gurenɛ-language, Frafra ceremonial music with rapid fire tempos and hypnotic drum loops, referencing an international palette of dance styles from Malian DJ-led Balani Show street sound, electro-acholi to modern dancehall/RnB.

Translating to ‘God Is Great’, the album opens with the synth flute-led Daguna, Linda’s favourite song on the album. The album’s first single Yine Faamam follows, its joyous opening horns, synth stabs and arpeggiated harpsichord harking back to 1960s highlife guitars, recalling the heat-warped funk of Francis’s early favourite musicians, Ebo Taylor and Pat Thomas whilst on the slower and sweet Annebooy, a path is forged back to the digi-reggae stylings of King Jammy productions of the late 80s, Linda’s melodies snaking freely around dancehall rim shots and deep kick thrums.

For fans of: Oumou Sangaré, Rokia Traoré, Nyege Nyege, Otim Alpha, Ata Kak, King Ayisoba

A1. Daguna
A2. Yine Faamam
A3. Mandaana
A4. Annebooy
B1. Ndaana Yine Nogemam Me
B2. Pege Nayine
B3. Atiiwine Group
B4. Fomallebazaa Feat. Faraday