African Party

Digitally remastered edition of this 1967 album. Ginger Johnson's life is one of the greatest untold stories of African music in Europe. After World War II Ginger decided to make London his home, working with many artists including British saxophone legend Ronnie Scott who first really utilized Ginger's amazing technique to full effect, featuring him in not only his live concerts, but also several recordings for the Esquire jazz label in the 1940's and 50's. In the `60s, Ginger was mentor and guru to a young Fela Kuti. Ginger's London home became a vibrant hub of African music activity for Fela and an entire host of musicians who would gather there to exchange news, talk, eat and jam for hours on end. To Fela, and all who gravitated towards Ginger's home, he was simply known and addressed as Father. Freestyle Records is incredibly proud to reissue the music of Ginger Johnson & His African Messengers. It's bedrock of African drums, hi life, and jazz was in fact the precursor to afrobeat - and Ginger's direct and vital influence upon afrobeat, as guide and mentor to its undisputed champion Fela Kuti is just one part of a fascinating and underappreciated story that only now is being recognized for its significance.