Radiodiffusion Internasionaal Annexe

♬ Tsui Sitoo

Hedzoleh Soundz were a band from Accra, Ghana formed in the late 1960s. The word ‘hedzoleh’ means ‘freedom’ in the Ga language.

Stanley Todd Kwesi assembled an ensemble of musicians from the Ghana Arts Council, intending to form a new Afro-Rock group that would be more traditional and African in sound than Osibisa – and hoped to surpass in popularity. Their original songs were based upon traditional Akan and Ewe music, and employed dark, organic sounding African-made drums instead of modern western congas / drum-kit.

Legend has it that the band was introduced to Hugh Masekela by Fela Kuti. Masekela worked with them as early as 1967 and they were his backing band when he played the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1973.

Hedzoleh Soundz recorded two singles, plus a track that was used on the soundtrack for the Italian film Contatto Carnale. They also recorded two albums: The first being titled Hedzoleh – which has been reissued by Soundway Records – and the album Introducing Hedzoleh Soundz that they recorded with Hugh Masekela.

Catalog number BBN101 on Bibini of Ghana. Release 1973.