Bishop Michael Osei Bonsu is one gospel musician whose talent has taken a different dimension with the release of his latest album titled Kodwoo To.

The versatile musician has created a name for himself over the years and is well known for his hit praise and worship songs which spices up the notes of the accordion.

Because his lyrics are loaded with exhortations and Biblical narrations, his songs normally take the slow-paced or mid-tempo rhythm making the message very inspirational and understandable.

The sound of his instrument never escape the ears of great fans of his music.Bishop Osei Bonsu learned how to play the accordion at the very tender age of 11 and used it for evangelical work.

He preached the gospel at markets, in trains and other public places touching people’s lives and making them wonder about the young boy’s musical and spiritual gift.

His evangelical work begun in Kumasi when he was only 9 years old and it brought him to Accra where he was one day spotted by a white lady who offered to support him financially. While staying with the lady, he got a new accordion and the chance to enter the music industry.

Bishop Osei Bonsu established his first Church at Kumasi called Christ Universal Church in 1971. His ministry work has taken him to several countries including America, Britain and Italy where he was officially ordained and given the title of Bishop due to his over 40 years in the gospel ministry work.

He is currently the founder of Back to God Mission International at the Spintex Road in Accra. he has been in the music ministration for over 40 years during which time he has released more than ten albums.

Bishop Osei Bonsu has gained immeasurable achievements including winning the best gospel musician’s award from ACRAG in 1992 and the release of two albums in the same year namely Naomi and Jerusalem.

The man in his early 50s has been a source of inspiration to many people with his music which is filled with testimonies, words of encouragement and thanks to God for things he has done for him.

Kodwoo To, his latest album has, however, taken a different turn from his usual style of singing. Most of the praise songs on this album make use of the fast-paced jama beat which is typical of many current hiplife artistes.

It is not unusual to hear any gospel music using this rhythm but for attentive listeners of the Bishop’s songs, his praise songs normally ride with mid-tempo beats.

His new album exclusively has fast, danceable jama beats with percussion and guitar dominating the instrumentation while the sound of the accordion is faintly heard in the background.

The title-track is one of such praise songs acknowledging God’s rescuing power in the musician’s life. The song stresses that but for Jesus’ grace, he would have been dead. Kodwoo To is a Twi expression which emphasises the extent of a great fall.

In essence, his death would have been sudden and miserable without Jesus on his side.Other praise songs that take the fast-paced jama rhythm are Maa Nna Andwene and Obeye Ama Nayefe.

Instrumentation in these songs are good but the sound of Bishop’s favourite instrument does not dominate as is typical in all his previous songs.

Maa Nna Andwene testifies of an unexpected thing God had done which beats his imagination. As usual, he gives Biblical references of the stories of Sarah’s and Hannah’s barrenness and how God gave them babies though they were well advanced in age.

In Obeye Ama Nayefe, he assures people that God will answer their prayers and do so beautifully. Aside singing, Bishop Osei Bonsu talks in his songs with shouts of “Hallelujah” to exhort people.

Ataa Addo does a good job playing the conga beautifully.

The album has a reggae piece filled with words of exhortation for the need to exercise faith in God and avoid the habit of pondering over personal problems.

He says that no matter the financial, employment, marital or any other problem one faces, God expects him or her to believe that He is able to solve it. He titled that song Gyae Adwendwene.

The accordion resumes its dominance of instrumentation in the cool meditative worship songs Wasesa M’abrabo and Jesus Obeye.

The former talks about how God has wonderfully changed his destiny while the latter is a song of gratitude for the fact that Jesus never relents in fulfilling his promises.