Ebo Taylor, now 82 years old, is a Ghanian musician who has been actively performing for sixty years. He was a notable highlife and Afro-Beat musician in West Africa in the 70's, but only in the last decade has he begun receiving international attention. Taylor doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon, having just released his 13th album, "Yen Ara," earlier this year.
"Love and Death," from the album of the same name, was released in 2010. The song was originally recorded in the 80's, after Taylor's first wife left him. Although the subject matter is serious, the driving drums and bass, melodic guitar, and syncopated horn lines give the song a playful, irresistibly danceable energy.
Some notable artists who've sampled his work include Usher - who used Taylor's "Heaven" on "She Don't Know" - and Sadat X, from legendary hip hop group Brand Nubian, who used Taylor's 1976 release "Come Along," on "Remember That." The entire "Love and Death" album, and Taylor's huge catalog of music, is worth diving into and getting familiar with.
You can learn more about Ebo Taylor here:
About the Curator, Caitlin Moss:
Drum set player and percussionist Caitlin Moss was born and raised in Los Angeles. She has performed at such venues as the Skirball Center and the Ford Amphitheatre and has toured nationally and internationally, including performances in Mexico and Cuba, with Grammy-winning bands La Santa Cecilia and Quetzal. She performs and records in Los Angeles as a freelance musician and as a member of several original bands. Caitlin is also teaching drum set, percussion, piano, and music production classes at a youth arts center operated by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
Latest Posts
Hear My Mind (feat. Teddy Roxpin &Smiley) – Annabelle Maginnis
23 April 2019
This week I’m happy to share this bouncy track from LA-based Annabelle Maginnis. Also a member of the group Metronohm, she just released this first solo single at the end of March. It’s a catchy but unique dance track featuring production from Teddy Roxpin – who’s produced for Logic and Future – and Smiley, producer and keyboardist for the Main Squeeze…
Cry For Another – Claude Fontaine
12 March 2019
Claude Fontaine is a Los Angeles native who discovered her love for Jamaican and Brazilian music while living in London after a breakup. “Cry for Another” layers Claude’s breathy, yearning vocals over a instantly classic performance by some of the legends of reggae…
Stay Fresh – J Rocc
6 February 2019
“Living at today’s non-stop pace, it’s harder than ever to stay fresh,” says the sample that opens J Rocc’s funky instrumental. This curator can relate to that, as it’s been three months since my last post, and it feels like the blink of an eye….