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Who's Pope?
Ghanaian performer/composer/educator Pope Flyne is best known as lead vocalist for the legendary Sweet Talks band of Ghana, where he helped bring the art of highlife music to new heights. When not on stage, he shares his joyful spirit and vast knowledge of African folk music, dancing and precussion with his legions of American students.
The Sweet Talks
Back in Ghana, Pope and his nucleus of musicans (Smart Nknsah, A. B. Crentsil, Jewel Ackah, Atta Kojo, Prince Nana Afful, Max Kozy, Yaw Tingye, J.Y. Thorthy, Arthur Kennedy, Owusu, Eugene and Asabia Cropper, B.D. Sangari, and Osi Owusu) recorded many songs under many band names, including the El-Dorados, Medican Lantics, the Black Hustlers, and the Sweet Talks. As the Sweet Talks, they had several hits, including the albums "Adam and Eve," "Spiritual Ghana," and "Kusum Beat."
This review is regarding a song composed by Pope Flyne:
"..."Eyi Su Ngaangaa" by the Sweet Talks (1976), a deeply funky excursion into simple harmonies, slyly decorated with an extended trumpet solo by Arthur Kennedy. What makes this tune so special is not its hip groove or catchy melody, but the level of depth and detail that develops in the percussion department. Of all the countries in West Africa, Ghana has perhaps the most complex drumming tradition—and while funk and fusion tended to distill rhythms down to the backbeat, the Sweet Talks draw upon the country's greatest traditional strength." - All About Jazz.com
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What's with the name?
In 1977, Paul Sean (See-on) Flyne Ackah was named best vocalist in Ghana's version of the Grammys. The other musicians respected his music so much they dubbed the young pop star “Pope,” teasing him for his clean lifestyle.The name stuck with him when he came to the U.S. in the mid-eighties to teach African roots music to inner-city children in a cultural music exchange program. As an ambassador for his native Hi-life music, Pope Flyne teaches and performs at schools and events around the Bay Area.
Pope preaches his message of love, happiness, and the great funky sounds of Hi-Life on his new album, ONE RACE.
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