Young Ghanaian highlife group Santrofi is back with their third body of work in five years. Since their debut Alewa in 2020, which peaked at No.1 on the World Music Charts Europe, and 2023’s "Deep into Highlife," a collaborative effort with Berlin-based 14-piece brass band Omniversal Earkestra, they have continued to put Ghanaian highlife music on the map.

The latest album, Making Moves, is an eight-track masterpiece of classic Ghanaian highlife. Mixed in Munich and mastered in London, the project exudes raw highlife grooves while introducing fresh elements of funk-driven dancefloor bangers and soulful songs that reflect on life’s ups and downs.

The album opens with the pre-released single, Amina, a track infused with Afrobeat and Afrofunk influences. It embodies the spirit of legends such as  K.Frimpong, Fela Kuti, Tony Allen, and James Brown, blending vintage grooves with modern production. Santrofi describes the song, which is named after a songbird found in the forests of Ghana, as a "disco highlife song" that brings back childhood memories.

The title track, Making Moves, which sits in second place brings a more contemporary twist, incorporating a rap verse in English. It is the only song on the album that features guest artists —AratheJay and Kofi Jamar— with their contributions giving it a fresh, modern feel. While the rap verse might feel somewhat out of place for fans who prefer traditional highlife music, this track shows the group's effort to bridge the gap between classics and modern sounds, creating highlife music with a twist.

In contrast, Su Nkwa and San Su showcase the pure essence of Ghanaian musical heritage. These tracks deliver highlife in its rawest form, untouched by external or experimental influences. The track, Su Nkwa, has Santrofi celebrating their love for authentic Sikji Highlife music.

The fourth track, Domebi, slows things down beautifully. Its nostalgic feel and laid-back groove make you want to sit back with a cup of palm wine and simply move to the rhythm. It’s the kind of song that lets you forget your worries and fully immerse yourself in the groove of the music.

The following track, Gyae Me How, picks up the energy again with its pop-infused start, featuring saxophones and guitar riffs that keep the party going. The lyrics are a mix of English and Ghanaian dialects, highlighted by the catchy phrase— “Jack, where are you?”—which stays on your mind just after one listen.

No Money, No Honey, the seventh track, is a classic highlife jam steeped in the Ghanaian cowbell percussive rhythm. The song instantly brings to mind veterans like Ebo Taylor and E.T. Mensah, with twangy guitars and a timeless groove.

The album comes to a brilliant close with Woara Wosempa, a stunning vocal and guitar duet that strips everything down to the essentials. Its raw and emotional detail makes it a perfect way to wrap up this incredible project, showing off the group's collective talent.

With Making Moves, Santrofi continues to place Ghanaian highlife on the map, proving that the genre is still very much alive. This album is both a celebration of their roots and a step forward into the future of highlife. From the funk-infused Amina to the playful, boogie-ready Gyae Me How, to the delightful Woara Wosempa, this project is guaranteed to get you dancing.

Performers: Santrofi, AratheJay, Kofi Jamar

Making moves album is a Ghanaian highlife classic album, comprising of eight tracks.

Santrofi: Making Moves album review – a Ghanaian highlife classic

Making moves album is a Ghanaian highlife classic album, comprising of eight tracks.

Share to:

Related Blogs