Music of Sunday, 29 May 2005

Source: ghanamusic.com

Amo Emerges With A Masterpiece On The International Music Scene

Rev. John Teye Memorial School of the West African city Accra in Ghana, is known for producing some of Ghana’s finest music talents, and has served to nurture some of the most exciting new finds on the circuit like Amo ‘The Trumpeter’.

Daniel Kwabena Opoku Amo a product of Rev. John Teye Memorial School and Presbyterian Secondary, Legon, is known for his passionate love for real music. He is also easily recognized with his companion instrument ‘The Trumpet’, as one man of God in Holland instantly recognized him after many years, after a performance - saying, “ hey aren’t you the young man who ones played at Legon Presec Reunion Day in Accra”? Amo answered, “Yeah that was me”.

Consisting of some refined singers, couple of well-groomed musicians, with the support of some wonderful men in the vineyard of the gospel, Amo has finally delivered an authentic album.

Blending the 50 ‘s and 60’s high-life tunes of Ghana, uncontaminated African melodies, south American noise, old hymns, raw vocals with fine intertwined sound to the hearing of the discerning ear of the ardent soul, jazz, and real gospel lover, Amo has emerged on the scene with Sweet Passion, a thirteen-track gospel project to make a noticeable debut.

As he trumpets smoothly through and produces some raw vocals alongside the vibes, and strings between the lines of some tracks, Amo makes the ordinary extraordinary.

‘Come And See’ number 1 track, is a midtempo jazzy cut featuring the psalmist Evelyn Bamfo, on which she firmly establishes her hassle-free soulful alto vocal trademark touch.

"No. 4" which is a provocative pure high-life tune, abruptly brings one to the realisation and to the acceptance of what good music is all about. Again by the grace - this time with a complete peculiar tone, Amo makes the ordinary extraordinary.

The influence of jazz, which seems to be the basis of this masterpiece pops up solidly and rolls perfectly through tracks like ‘Yesu Kawo Ho’ an old Ghanaian classical tune,

‘I surrender all’ an opera style, ‘Sinking To Rise Again’, ‘Just Wanna Be,’? ‘ Love’,
‘Meda W’ase,’ and some other wonderful tunes.

‘No. 13’ featuring Rev. Kweku Amonoo-Niezer on lead vocals with Amo at the background is another well organised hit which seems to perfectly blend the elements of this mix of southern American and pure African style into a groove that will definitely cause you to hit the repeat button. This catchy style has Amo also expressing eternal thanks for the gift of music with his voice and the trumpet.

This is a heartfelt debut from a youngman entrenched in the scene of the music industry.