New Life In Jesus by New Life Gospel Band Of Ghana: A Retro Gem That’ll Make You Go “Huh?” and “Wow!”
Alright, buckle up, because we’re diving into New Life In Jesus, a 1982 album that’s equal parts holy vibes, funky grooves, and just plain weirdness. Released on Bertson Records in Nigeria (yep, not Ghana—don’t ask me how that works), this record is like your eccentric uncle who shows up to church wearing sunglasses and dancing like nobody's watching. It blends reggae, highlife, disco, gospel funk, folk, soul… basically every genre you can think of except heavy metal. And honestly? That’s probably for the best.
Led by Brother Kwame Owusu, this crew from Ghana somehow managed to cook up something so delightfully chaotic it feels like they threw darts at a world music map while blindfolded. The result? An album that sounds like what would happen if Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, and some guy playing a Casio keyboard got together for an all-night jam session.
Now let’s talk tracks, shall we? First off, there’s "Asendua (Medley)". Oh boy. This one starts with these dreamy guitar riffs that feel like sunshine on your face, but then BOOM—it drops into this wild medley mashup that makes zero sense yet somehow works. Imagine walking through a bustling market where everyone’s singing slightly different songs at the same time. Confusing? Sure. Catchy as heck? Absolutely. By the end, I was half-convinced I’d been transported to another dimension where gospel choirs and cowbells coexist peacefully.
Then there’s "Wakyerew Me Din". If ever there was a song designed to make you question your life choices while simultaneously nodding along, this is it. There’s this hypnotic rhythm that sneaks up on you, paired with lyrics delivered with such passion you might start thinking about repenting right there in your living room. But wait—what’s that funky bassline doing in the background? Oh, just chilling, being awesome, and reminding you that even salvation has a groove. Trust me, once this track gets stuck in your head, it ain’t leaving anytime soon.
And don’t get me started on "Mekoo Bepo So"—okay fine, I will. It’s like someone took a traditional hymn, gave it a disco makeover, and sent it out to conquer dance floors worldwide. Think glitter balls meets prayer circles. Weird? Totally. Wonderful? Also yes.
So here’s the thing: New Life In Jesus isn’t perfect. Some transitions are janky, the production screams ‘80s DIY, and good luck finding any info online beyond basic track listings. But none of that matters when you press play and realize this album doesn’t just break boundaries—it gleefully smashes them with a sledgehammer made of tambourines and tambouras.
In a world full of cookie-cutter playlists and algorithm-friendly hits, albums like this remind us why music is magic. They’re messy, unpredictable, and utterly human. Listening to New Life In Jesus is like shaking hands with history itself—a little rough around the edges, sure, but brimming with heart.
Final thought: If aliens ever invade Earth and demand proof of our artistic creativity, I’m handing them this album. Either they’ll be impressed, or they’ll leave us alone because they won’t understand what’s going on. Either way, win-win.
