By popular demand, Analog Africa is proud to be repressing a high quality limited edition of 1000 copies (180g Single LP Gatefold „de Luxe“ with liner notes & pictures) of Rob´s first legendary “Funky Rob Way” album, one of West Africa´s most fascinating recording. “Quite swiftly composers of taste are breaking the pedantry of all too luscious music setting and depicting rather the abounding chaos and peace symptomatic of a new age. Among these verymodern composers is young and talented Rob who belongs to the new spirits who are setting blistering pace in Today´s music.” Ebo Crentsil for Essiebons Record, Accra1977 "...this album is an unwaveringly infectious cocktail of slinky grooves, sultry wah-wah guitar, catchy horn hooks, and awesome percussion. Even without Rob, this would be great, but his sheer character and presence elevates this album to "classic" status." - ***** Brainwashed Appearing like a meteor out of nowhere armed with a bunch of twisted afro-cosmic tunes that seems to have come out of an imaginary science fiction movie, singer Rob has to be one of the most enigmatic artists to come out of West-Africa. Rob Roy Reindorf - Born in Accra in 1947 - (Although the back of the cover says that he was born in Abidjan which only adds to the mystic) was an admirer of American artists Otis Reading, James Brown, Wilson Pickett and Ray Charles. He began his trade by learning the piano at a music school in Cotonou (Benin Republic) before venturing out to make what money he could by getting gigs with the movers and shakers of the Beninese music scene, namely Orchestre Poly-Rythmo and the Black Santiago. After learning the science of music composition, Rob returned to Ghana where he began to write his own songs and eventually sought the backing of a band, specifically one that had horns. In 1977 - at the age of 28 - Rob travelled to the city of Takoradi in western Ghana to approach an army band named Mag-2 whom he had seen perform in Accra. Mag-2 had an entire section of its ensemble dedicated to horns along, some of the sophisticated music equipment available in Ghana at the time - Hofner guitars, Yamaha keyboards and the like. Belonging to the magnificent (emphasis on Mag) 2nd battalion of the Takoradi-based army unit, original founder Amponsha Rockson decided to aptly name the band "Mag-2". Joining the army during the 1970s was often an easy decision, particularly for musicians, since the army provided not only good music equipment but basic services such as food and medical care. Mag-2 was essentially filled with the best elements of "The Parrots," a highlife band in which Amponsha was the lead guitarist. Mag-2's main job was to entertain soldiers with the copyrighted top hits of the day and, with the army tour bus, perform from town to town and in hot spots in the capital. Enticed by the innovative style of music Rob had proposed - a repertoire of cosmic, Afro-American funk-inspired progressive dancefloor sounds sung in English - Mag-2 backed the Ghanaian sensation on his astonishing first and second albums, "Funky Rob Way" and "Make it Fast, Make it Slow," both of which were recorded at Essiebons studios in Accra. Despite Rob's training and musical education, Amponsah was responsible for the majority of the composition, such as building the chord progression and arranging the horns that Rob craved. They rehearsed for about one month with Rob providing cigarettes, food and drinks in place of hard cash. Marijuana, though enjoyed, was forbidden in the barracks and would lead to an immediate dismissal. Despite early successes, a once-strong interest in Afrobeat slowed down by the early 1980s and Disco Boogie rapidly became the style label owners and music producers pursued. Rob had recorded a third album, entitled "Hellfire," licensed by Nigerian label Tabansi, who lost the original recording only to find it when the style Rob had shaped his career around was in decline. Making good money became a big problem, forcing the cosmic funk czar to travel to Germany and Sweden before returning to Accra to open his restaurant, the Chicken Pepper, where he can be found today. Tracklist A1. Funky Rob Way 6:15 B1. Just One More Time 7:45 A2. Forgive Us All 7:58 B2. Your Kiss Stole Me Away 5:24 A3. Boogie On 4:13 B3. More 5:15 B1. Just One More Time 7:45 B2. Your Kiss Stole Me Away 5:24 B3. More 5:15 The LP comes in a Gatefold Cover and a 60x30cm Poster