With much-anticipation, London-based BBE Music has recently released a deluxe reissue of Ginger Johnson’s 1967 groundbreaking Afro-percussive album, African Party.

Born in Nigeria in 1916 and eventually relocating to London in the late 1940s, Ginger was a pioneer percussionist, educator and bandleader, who played alongside artists like British jazz legends Ronnie Scott, drummers Phil Seaman and Tony Crombie, pianist Victor Feldman, and Kenny Graham’s Afro-Cubists, as well as mentoring Fela Kuti at young age, and going on to perform with Art Blakey, Pink Floyd, Soft Machine, The Rolling Stones and many others. Known for incorporating the ‘talking drum’ into his percussive based music, his African Messengers ensemble featured members that went on to play in iconic groups like Osibisa and Cymande.

Often cited as the foundation of Afrobeat, this timeless recording combines heavy layered drum rhthyms with jazz horn lines and vocals sung in the Yoruba dialect, and includes standout cuts like “I Jool Omo”, “Talking Drum”, “Adura”, “Witchdoctor” and others. For this special deluxe release, the record includes an alternative version of “Witchdoctor” and “Nawa”, two tracks that were released on a limited 7″ in 1974 on the Afrodisia label.

Overall, it’s great to see this all-time classic and influential album receiving an expanded reissue. Definitely a must-own!

Ginger Johnson and His African Messengers — ‘African Party (Deluxe Edition)’
(Originally released: 1967 / Masquerade Records)
(Reissued: BBE Music / 2025)

1. I Jool Omo
2. Adura
3. Witchdoctor
4. Ire
5. Talking Drum
6. Lord Morocco
7. A You Momma
8. Watusi
9. Alege
10. Hi Life
11. Witch Doctor (Afro Rock)
12. Nawa

BUY RECORD

• African
• Jazz Dance
• Reissue