Entertainment – Joe Fuller: The original Awesome Tape From Africa, Ata Kak, plays Patterns

Awesome Tapes From Africa is a record label/website dedicated to sharing hidden gems from the continent. Some are offered as free downloads but many result in proper album releases, such as Ata Kak’s ‘Obaa Sima’ released last year.

ATFA is essentially just Brian Shimkovitz, who spent years researching the Ghanaian musical genre of Hiplife. Shimkovitz enthused about the Ata Kaka track ‘Moma Yendodo’ in his inaugural blog post in 2006: “You may never hear anything like this elsewhere. I bought this on the street from a guy selling tapes displayed on one of those big, vertical wooden racks in Cape Coast, Ghana. No one I know in Ghana listens to this frenetic leftfield rap madness.”

The Ghanaian electronic/rap/highlife music of Ata Kak is fun disco music: Kak’s vocal delivery features some beguilingly melodic, rhythmic and hypnotic scatting which should translate well live. Also performing is the more bass-driven DJ Katapila, whose sound is inspired by the neo-traditional dance music forms of gome, kpanlogo and gyama.

This concert is something different: a rare chance to see an underground sensation live, and at a great intimate venue like Patterns with a great sound system. Expect a nicely contrasting double bill, a raucous party, and for it to be more lively than your typical indie gig.

Awesome Tapes From Africa with Ata Kak & DJ Katapila
Patterns, Brighton, Wednesday 19 October, patternsbrighton.com