Osibisa

OSIBISA exploded onto the music world in 1971 with a pulsating and vibrant sound that was to engulf the tired post 60?s rock scene. Translated from Ghanaian OSIBISA means ?criss-cross rhythms that explode with happiness?.

The band?s percussive influence began to manifest itself within the music of their contemporaries. The OSIBISA poly-rhythms and percussive breaks were to be an integral feature of the disco boom that was to follow in the late 1970?s.

OSIBISA?s unique fusion of Africa, Caribbean, rock, jazz, Latin and R&B paved the way for other potent music force such as Bob Marley and the emergence of African music in the 80?s.Indeed OSIBISA are seen by many as the Godfathers of World Music.

One of the important reasons for OSIBISA?s enduring success has been their highly energetic and extravagant stage show. However their music is still an influential factor in dance music of today with no fewer than a dozen covers of ?Sunshine Day? which was also used for the Euro 2000 football tournament.

Members of Osibisa

For many years now they?ve toured tirelessly, headlining numerous festivals and performing in every far-flung corner of the globe. Highlights have included a major tour of India, which resulted in a No 1 Gold Album - an unprecedented achievement for a Western band. The mid 90?s have seen a re-emergence of OSIBISA in North America where African and Reggae music are gaining in popularity. However the band had a cameo in the Ken Russell TV film about Cropready Festival in Oxford during this time.

Former President Jerry J. Rawlings has honoured OSIBISA in Ghana where, they played a series of concerts celebrating their homecoming. ?The enthusiasm shown by the Ghanaian people especially the youth was quite amazing? recalled Teddy Osei OSIBISA bandleader.

Recent appearances include the legendary Sunsplash Festival, Northsea Jazz Festival (Cape Town SA) & Glastonbury. With recent sold out appearances in London, New Castle, Vienna, Budapest, Birmingham, Lithuania, Estonia, Switzerland and Germany, it looks like OSIBISA?s renewed popularity will forge ahead into the next century.