MSR023 Mawuli Decker – Lololi-Lomko

Matasuna Records has found another musical treat from the African continent for its latest release – a song by the Ghanaian musician Mawuli Decker. It was released in 1983 on the rare and sought-after album „Ayo Special“ and is available for the first time as a 7inch vinyl single, which is supplemented by an edit from Renegades Of Jazz. The esteemed London label Kalita Records was able to provide the audio material for new masters and is also acting as music publisher with the new Kalita Music Publishing.

Mawuli Decker was born in 1949 in Ghana, where he also grew up. His musicality has been given to him from an early age, so that he not only attracts attention as a singer, but also plays drums, percussion and bongo. He played in various dance bands, which were very popular in Ghana especially from the middle of the last century onwards and made the Ghanaian highlife known beyond the borders. He has played in various dance bands such as New Planets, Sawaaba Sounds, The Tops, Caprice 73, The Volta Pioneers and others, which have performed in Ghana and other West African countries.

His first release was in 1975 with the band Dzobi Soundz on the Polydor label. Further releases of projects with his participation followed, until 1983 when he recorded his album „Ayo Special“ at Otodi Studio in Lome (Togo) with an illustrious group of musicians. He is still deeply rooted in music and performs in West Africa and is still very active in recording.

On the A-side is the original version of the song Lololi-Lomko, sung in the „EWE“ language, which is spoken in the south of Ghana as well as the southern parts of Togo. Lololi means „There’s Still More Love“ and Lomko stands for „Please love me“ – classical themes that have appeared in countless songs in music history. Although a certain catchiness of the track cannot be denied, it doesn’t seem cheesy at any point. Mawuli, who also contributes the vocals, creates perfectly formed harmonies through his compositions and arrangements, which are especially apparent in the bassline, guitars & brass and of course the vocals.

This was certainly also the idea behind the edit of „Renegades of Jazz“ on the B-side, which did not want to break up and alienate the organic composition. Listening closely reveals the approach: a steady tempo, a more powerful bassline and additional drums and percussions bring the song back directly to where it belongs: to the dancefloors of this world!