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ATONGO ZIMBA |
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The Story of the Ghanian singing
cowboy Atongo |
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Atongo Zimba, born in Ghana's Bolgatanga region in 1967 gained first fame
as he was for a year and a half the openingact at the Shrine shows of
Fela Kuti in Lagos, Nigeria. Atongo recorded his first album "Allah Mongode" in 1994 in Switzerland and that same year he went on his first European tour, soon followed by a second tour, that brought Atongo to Spain and Germany. In 1996 Atongo has a special guest appearance on the Crusade album of Ghana’s most popular reggae singer Rocky Dawunin (the hitsong "Conqueror”). But Atongo worked as well in collaborations with John Collins, the world renowned musicologist. Atongo moved to London in 2003 to play in the award-winning UK production of Kwame Kwei-Armah's theatre play "Elmina's Kitchen" and performed with The Shrine Synchro System. Producer and arranger Sultan Makendé (aka Dave Yowell, co-producer of the legendary Captain Yaba album, recorded in 2004 for Hippo Records the album that gained Atonga Zimba the international recognition he deserved: Savannah Breeze. This Afro-fusionalbum was lauched at the 2005 Womad festival. It caught the attention of DJ Rita Ray and Savannah Breeze got great exposure on BBC's "Africa On Your Street." Savannah Breeze moves effortlessly through a variety of grooves. - See the Atongo reviews At the moment Atongo's version of the polka classic "No Beer In Heaven" was a major hit in Ghana, he made an European Savannah Breeze-tour. This tour is filmed and directed by Kingsley K. Ottopah, also the maker of the clip of "No Beer", both concerts and clip released on a that great DVD. The release of his new album "Barefoot in the Sand" took place during the Womex 2007 and was followed with the nomination cd of the year 2007. At the moment there is another documentary released about this Great Ghanian Singing Star. ATONGO DISCOGRAPHY The Atongo CD's on the European, Asian, African and American market
THE AFRICAN MARKET
This Q&A Production is probably one of the best known African MCs. It had the song 'Womba' on it. The in this song more rapping than singing Atongo hit the charts in the summer of that year and Womba was heard on radio, TV, clubs and on the streets all over Africa. This MC made its way to the collection of the Smithonian Institute! The
vocals and 'Kokake' of Atongo Zimba are backed by guitarists Ralph Karkari,
Chris Turkson and Svend Hulthin, on keyboard Hanstorg 'Bobby' Hess, the
trumpetplayer is Jackson Dela, Sax by Osbone Kwame Boateng, Kojo Owusu-Artwi
on bass and the backing vocals of Margaret Gbinde, Deede, Nana Yaw Wiredu
and T.J. Amartey. The artwork was by lsaac Boye-Amasah.
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Links
to Atongo Zimba |
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Atongo
Zimba video on-line |
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No
less than 16 musicassettes of Atongo Zimba were released in several African
countries. One of the best selling African titles was the MC Combination,
recorded by Atongo and Nana Yaw Wiredu in 1996, at Kays Frequency Studio,
Accra, Ghana with Ken Addyere and Nana Nyarko Ackah Yensu as producers. 
