You’ve heard of Highlife greats such as CK Mann, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Ebo Taylor and Pat Thomas but what do you know about the producer behind some of their hit songs?
Inspired by his love of music, Essilfie-Bondzie left his job in government to devote his time to producing music under the Essiebons label. And as a result, he helped to shape the music that many love today.
Essilfie-Bondzie helped to formalise arrangement for music gigs and partnered with the Dutch electronics business Phillips to bring the pressing of vinyl records to Ghana. Prior to the launch of Essilfie-Bondzie's factory in 1969, music produced in Ghana had to be sent to the West to be pressed and sent back to Ghana.
Essilfie-Bondzie also created a music festival in 1978 celebrating Ghana's music legacy - past and present.
In this the first of a two-part interview, we speak with the family of the late Essilfie-Bondzie about plans to develop a new documentary about the music producer and work to create a digital archive of all the music under the Essiebons label.
Watch the original Roots to Fruits documentary
Listen to Essiebons Special (1973-1984) a compilation of some of the label's rare tracks by Analog Africa. The album was released just after Essilfie-Bondzie passed on in 2021 at the age of 90.
Listen to more of our podcasts here.
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