Ebo Taylor is a seminal figure in the world of Ghanaian highlife and afrobeat music, whose career has spanned several decades. Born in 1936, Taylor's journey into the heart of Ghana's vibrant music scene began in the 1950s when he was involved with the seminal highlife bands such as the Stargazers and the Broadway Dance Band. In the 1960s and '70s, he broke new ground with his own bands, such as Ebo Taylor and The Pelikans, where he began to integrate traditional Ghanaian music with funk and jazz influences, helping to evolve the sound of highlife and lay the groundwork for afrobeat.

Taylor's influence extends beyond performance to education and production; he studied music in London and has been a significant figure in producing and arranging for other artists. A resurgence of interest in his work in the 21st century, particularly amongst aficionados of world and fusion music, has seen a number of his albums reissued, including "Twer Nyame" and the eponymous "Ebo Taylor." His 2018 "Yen Ara" marked a powerful return to form, showcasing his vitality as an artist with a blend of classic sounds and contemporary energy, leading to numerous remixed versions like the "Yen Ara Remixes" and notable mixes from Henrik Schwarz. Taylor's legacy is that of a pioneering spirit, whose music has inspired and influenced countless artists within Ghana and across the world.

Genres

Afro-funk

Afrobeat

Afropop

Old School Highlife

Related Artists

Fela Kuti

Tony Allen

Pat Thomas

Gyedu-Blay Ambolley

Manu Dibango

Gilberto Gil

Orlando Julius

Herbie Hancock

Harry Belafonte

Mulatu Astatke

Ali Farka Touré

Angelique Kidjo

Latest Release

Feeling

Ebo Taylor•

Adrian Younge•

Ali Shaheed Muhammad

Single - Released October 18, 2024