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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZSWEET TALKS, TheHighlife band formed in Ghana '73, became one of the most popular, playing uptempo modern style. Began under joint leadership of Smart Nkansah and A.B. Crentsil as resident band at The Talk Of The Town hotel in Tema, with series of hit albums incl. Kusum Beat '75. Smart left to form the Black Hustlers '76; with Eric Agyeman on guitar, vocalist Crentsil, J.Y. Thorty on drums, Prince Nana Afful on keyboards, plus horns and percussionists the band was renamed Super Sweet Talks, recorded Adam And Eve '77, then to Los Angeles for highlife classic Hollywood Party incl. hits "Nawa To Be Husband', "Only Your Voice Juliana', "Angelina'. By '80 faced with uncertain economic climate and declining record industry, they split to pursue separate careers; Crentsil reformed the band as the Super Sweet Talks International for earthy, even risqué albums Mewo Road, Moses and Tantie Alaba, also impressive Masters '85 with Thorty; CD The Lord's Prayer on Stern's Africa. Agyeman was successful, forming his Kokoroko Band for albums Wonko Menko, Highlife Safari (CD on Stern's) and Kona Kohwe, the last with Crentsil and Thomas Frempong (drummer, vocalist who also did highlife hit Aye Yi '85). Agyeman also sessioned with Crentsil, Atakora Manu, Nana Tuffuor; featured prominently with Crentsil and Frempong on Pete Pete '83 by Highlife Stars One, joining with members of Osibisa to make Ghana's first supergroup. |