by Andrew Hamilton
Osibisa, the West African high-life band from Ghana, waxed their first LP in 1971 and continues to spit them out. Their longevity can be attributed to a vibrant sound and the ability to inject humor into music. They don't allow themselves to become mired in social issues as did the short-lived but often brilliant Cymande, whose LPs were essentially political statements. Osibisa's only agenda is making good music, and if it happens to strike a political or social nerve, fine, but it's not what they're totally about. &Wango Wango& starts slow but evolves into a wicked jam that's heavy as P-Funk. Pleasant flute and trumpet riffs accent the lovely &So So MI La So.& The bands' tribute to America, the floating &Sweet America,& teases and tantalizes. Percussion heads will appreciate &Ye Tie Wo& and &Che Che Kule.& The deepest slabs of social commentary are the thought-provoking &Sweet Sounds& and &Did You Know.& All tracks were written by all or various members of Osibisa, who share production credit with John Punter.