Name: Funeral Songs
Brand: Fra Fra

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

GBCD089

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2020-04-24

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Proper

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

4030433608920

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Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

GBLP089

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Black

4030433608913

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1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

Fra Fra

Genre GB

African

Label GB

Glitterbeat

Glitterbeat is an independent music label specializing in vibrant global sounds from Africa and beyond. Established in 2012 as a subsidiary of Glitterhouse Records, it became independent in 2014. With a commitment to both cultural traditions and contemporary expression, Glitterbeat represents artists such as Aziza Brahim, Tamikrest, Noura Mint Seymali, Bassekou Kouyate, Bixiga 70, Sacri Cuori, Samba Toure, Fofoulah, Dirtmusic, Damir Imamovič, MAKU Soundsystem, Altin Gün and Gaye Su Akyol.
Glitterbeat's diverse roster showcases the rich musical heritage of Africa and other regions around the world. The label prides itself on presenting artists who are deeply rooted in their cultures while pushing boundaries with innovative sounds and modern production techniques.
With its distinctive approach to global music exploration and its commitment to showcasing talented artists from diverse backgrounds, Glitterbeat has become a leading force in the international music scene. Their releases offer listeners an opportunity to discover captivating rhythms and melodies that transcend borders and celebrate the power of music as a universal language.

Raw and celebratory funeral music from northern Ghana. Hypnotic kologo excursions. Pulsing percussion. Enraptured voices. Recorded 100% live and outdoors by Grammy winner Ian Brennan (Tinariwen, Ustad Saami). Sixth release from Glitterbeat’s acclaimed Hidden Musics series.

On the dusty-road outskirts of Tamale (Ghana) near the School of Hygiene, the group says they prefer to use the name given to their tribe by colonialists (Fra Fra) rather than being commanded what to correct after the fact.

The Fra Fra trio is led by Small, a man who celebrates his diminutive size rather than seeing it as a lack. He picked the two-string Kologo ‘guitar’ with dog-tags fastened at the head as rattles. Another hallmark of Fra Fra culture are the tiny bone mouth flutes that they actually call horns, since that is what they are made from.

As funeral songs are often done in procession, I took the mics to the group when they seemed reluctant to enter the compound, instead gyrating in circles on the gravel outside. In recording, coverage is more important than precision. Every microphone tells a slightly different version of the truth, so I quickly threw up as many as possible. Far from deathly dirges, these were largely celebrations. Their process of mourning bares more than a passing resemblance to a New Orleans second line marching band. It is challenging to disregard this as mere coincidence given the sad history of the transatlantic slave trade exploiting their very region in the north. -- Ian Brennan

Funeral Songs

Music GB