“Next Generation” - Ambolley’s vehicle for culture acceptance

After being missing on the local music scene for nearly a decade, Nana Gyedu Blay Ambolley has resurfaced with another captivating tune of African origin, titled “Next Generation”.

The 14-track album is dedicated to everyone, especially the younger generation, which was why he featured his 4 and 6 year old grandchildren.According to Ambolley, Ghanaians had shunned our noble culture and turned to foreign cultures which we see on television.

This, he said, had influenced our social, economic and political behaviors, adding that children were at higher risk of accepting foreign culture wholly.

He said he however wanted to use his music to make Ghanaians, especially the younger generation embrace Ghana’s culture.

“I want to bring back the people’s mind to our culture,” he stated, advising children to desist from copying what they saw on TV.

He pointed out that most of the western cultures we see on television were the direct opposite of the real lives of those from the West.

Ambolley’s new album is culture-oriented, with most of the songs evoking a sense of history and culture while stressing on the relevance of contemporary issues in society.

This is Ambolley’s 21st album since he hit the limelight in the 1960s. It opens with remixed versions of some of his old songs in previous albums.

Notable among them is his single debut, ‘Simigwa Do’, which offered Ambolley a commercial break in 1973, ‘Cut your coat according to your size’ and ‘Woman’s B’. All the songs were composed and produced by Ambolley.

They come with refreshing instrumentation, accompanied by danceable tunes.

With his new brand of Jazz tones, Ambolley included a bit of his raps in the songs. Meanwhile, Ambolley, after the launch of his album this month, has since been calling for the Copyright Society of Ghana (COSGA) to account for its stewardship.

He said it was about time the music industry was perceived beyond entertainment.