The seprewa is a traditional Ghanaian instrument, a harp a little akin to the West African kora, but not as large, and with a much smaller range -- it doesn't often the same gorgeous rippling effect. Once vital in the early days of highlife, it had almost fallen out of use. Then guitarist Kari Banaman from
Osibisa saw Osei Kornakye play the seprewa at a festival. In time that led to this disc, which includes a second seprewa played by Baffour Kyerematen. Most of the session took place in Ghana, with additional recording in London, and the result is a lovely little African disc of original compositions that explore Ghanaian music. There's interplay between the instruments, although the guitar happily takes a back seat, letting the seprewa shine as the players exchange ideas. It won't change your world, nor will the seprewa seduce you with lyrical beauty. But as a small window on an almost-forgotten instrument, and a way to bring it back to more widespread use, this is very valuable indeed. ~ Chris Nickson