Ebo Taylor releases new album at 90, redefining highlife music

Legendary Ghanaian musician Ebo Taylor collaborates with Jazz Is Dead for a powerful return.

Ebo Taylor performs on stage at Sala Apolo on May 25, 2016, in Barcelona, Spain. Photo by Jordi Vidal/Redferns

By Adila Ghina and Novanka Laras

Ebo Taylor, a towering yet often underappreciated figure in West African music, has made a triumphant return with a new album at the age of 90. Known for his pioneering work in highlife music, Taylor has been a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer since the 1960s. His impact on the genre has left an indelible mark, blending traditional Ghanaian rhythms with jazz, funk, and soul influences.

In collaboration with Jazz Is Dead, an innovative label co-founded by Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Taylor’s latest work, Ebo Taylor JID022, marks his first studio album in seven years. The album showcases the rich heritage of highlife while exploring fresh sonic landscapes, reaffirming Taylor's legacy as a musical visionary.

Ebo Taylor rose to prominence in the 1960s, championing highlife, a genre that fused African rhythms with Western instrumentation. As highlife evolved, Taylor incorporated advanced jazz harmonies and deep funk grooves, creating a unique sound that resonated across continents. His close relationship with Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti further cemented his influence in the West African music scene.

While Taylor enjoyed success with albums in the 1970s and early 1980s, he stepped back from the limelight for over two decades. During this time, he worked behind the scenes, producing albums and teaching music at the University of Ghana. His 2010 comeback album, Love and Death, introduced his music to a new generation, earning accolades and inspiring artists worldwide, including Usher, Vic Mensa, and the Black Eyed Peas, who sampled his work.

In 2022, Jazz Is Dead brought Taylor to the United States for his first-ever American performances. The concerts, including a standout show in Los Angeles, captivated audiences and reinforced Taylor’s relevance in the global music scene. Among the attendees was Janelle Monáe, who described Taylor’s song Love and Death as one of her all-time favorites. “Seeing Ebo perform deeply touched me,” she shared, reflecting on the emotional connection she felt during the performance.

Encouraged by the success of these shows, Adrian Younge proposed recording a new album. “I wanted to capture Ebo’s essence, blending analog techniques with real instruments to create something raw yet timeless,” Younge explained.

Ebo Taylor JID022 Vinyl LP. © Linear Labs

Recording the album presented unique challenges. In 2018, Taylor suffered a stroke, affecting his ability to communicate in English and play guitar. However, his son and longtime collaborator, Henry Taylor, served as a vital bridge in the studio. Having performed with his father since he was 17, Henry understood Ebo’s creative process intimately.

“We’ve worked together for so long that I can anticipate what he wants,” Henry said. “Even if he can’t express it verbally, he communicates through his music.”

The album was recorded at Younge’s Linear Labs studio in Los Angeles, featuring a mix of Taylor’s touring musicians from Ghana and seasoned session players. Younge and Muhammad provided musical sketches, which the band expanded under Taylor’s guidance. The elder Taylor contributed lyrics and melodies, often directing arrangements with subtle cues like a nod or gesture.

Despite the physical limitations imposed by age, Taylor’s artistry remains undiminished. His voice, now gravelly and weathered, became a focal point of the album’s raw and dynamic sound. “Ebo’s voice isn’t something to hide—it’s the centerpiece,” Younge said. Tracks like Get Up and Kusi Na Sibo highlight his haunting vocals, which cut through vibrant layers of horns, synths, and percussion.

The album also features songs in both English and Taylor’s native Fante dialect, bridging cultural and generational gaps. “When you hear the album, you’re experiencing a trans-Atlantic musical conversation that has evolved over decades,” Younge noted.

Highlife’s history is deeply intertwined with global influences. As musicologist John Collins of the University of Ghana explains, the genre emerged in the early 20th century, shaped by Caribbean melodies and rhythms brought to West Africa by Jamaican and Trinidadian soldiers. These soldiers, stationed in the Gold Coast during the Ashanti Wars, introduced early forms of calypso, which merged with traditional African sounds to form highlife.

Conversely, West African rhythms also influenced global music, including jazz, blues, and rock. “It’s a cyclical exchange,” Collins said. “Ebo’s music embodies this cultural dialogue, blending American jazz with Ghanaian traditions.”

Ebo Taylor performs live on stage at the Jazz Festival in Copenhagen, Denmark, on July 7, 2011. Photo by Jan Persson/Redferns

Taylor’s collaboration with Jazz Is Dead is a testament to his enduring creativity and relevance. For Ali Shaheed Muhammad, the project was about more than creating an album; it was about honoring a musical legend. “Ebo’s quiet presence doesn’t mean he’s disconnected. He absorbs everything and delivers something profound,” Muhammad said.

As Henry Taylor reflected, “He’s still Ebo Taylor. Age may have changed some things, but his essence remains the same. He knows exactly what he’s doing.”

Ebo Taylor JID022 is not just an album; it’s a celebration of a lifetime dedicated to music. From his pioneering work in highlife to his influence on contemporary artists, Taylor’s contributions span generations and continents.

Through this album, Taylor continues to bridge the past and present, inviting listeners to explore the rich tapestry of highlife and its global connections. His story is a reminder that creativity knows no age, and his music will undoubtedly inspire future generations to carry the legacy forward.

As Janelle Monáe eloquently put it, “Watching Ebo perform feels like witnessing a mystic time traveler. He has so much to teach us about life and music.” With Ebo Taylor JID022, the world gets another chapter in the extraordinary journey of a musical icon.

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