George Darko (Nana Apem Darko I Tufuhene of Akropong), Undisputable The Best

George Darko

The undisputed master of nouveau highlife a.k.a highlife fusion opened the flood gates to West Africa?s new popular rhythm with the recording of friends with the hit track Akoo Te Brofo in 1982. The rhythm was pulsating, the melody infectious and the lyrical content pleasantly instructive.

Everything about George Darko?s new found music was outstanding. The voice, the instrumentation, the arrangement, the overall technical production, and yes! the most outstanding of all was the man?s mastery of his instrument- the guitar. Acoustic or electric, the guitar was and is simply an extension of the man.

Now  Tufuhene of Akropong traditional area George was born in 1951 to the paramount chief of Akropong. Growing up in the Palace exposed him to the traditional drumming and dancing of the people of Akuapem. Here he also studied the customs of his people whilst attending elementary school.

At the Okuapeman Secondary School where he continued his education, George discovered the guitar through Dobson his Canadian biology teacher- who played a self made acoustic guitar during leisure times. The two became very good friends and enjoyed the sound of the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Jimmy Hendrix together.

George was often seen wandering around campus with Dobson?s guitar, the instrument on which he realised his true potential as a musician. He jammed with Agent Five-the school band before leaving OKUASS in 1969.

His musical career commenced with the Re-born Avengers as a guitarist. While playing with the Avengers, he was discovered by the Soul Believers Band of Ashanti Mampong, the band that won the Best Band in the Versatile Musicians Competition in 1971.

Together they joined the 4th Battalion of Infantry, Kumasi, in 1972 and formed the Fourth Dimensions. George Darko met Colonel Sam and Major Ayeh an Army Officer who was a friend of Ghana?s leading acoustic guitarist at the time Agya Koo Nimo. Through the good Major, George met Agya Koo Nimo who taught him to play the traditional rhythms, variations and progressions of which you her in his recordings to date.

In 1976 George performed with The Fourth Dimensions at the United Nations Peace Keeping in Ismalia- Egypt for six months to sustain high morale in the force. He left for Germany in 1977 and joined a group of other Ghanaian musicians to form the Golden Stool Band and subsequently formed his own band as Bus Stop, which  recorded his first solo album.

Discography

1982: Highlife Friends
1984: Highlife Time
1986: Money Palava
1988: Soronko
1992: Highlife in the air
1998: Ebeto Da
2003: Odo Color
 
International Concerts:

Year             Country                        City
1984             United Kingdom              London
1984             France                         Paris
1986             Denmark                       Copenhagen
1996             Holland                         Delft

and a few more.

George Darko has had spectacular shows from 1984 to date in Germany, Holland, England, France, Canada and the U.S.A.

The beat of George Darko the Originator of the New Highlife a.k.a Highlife fusion, still goes on strong. It has also attracted interesting imitations.

His new album is a fine blend of the best of Ghana?s highlife and interesting bits and pieces from Jazz, Rhythm and Blues and Soul.