Sound Metaphors close a crazy successful 2023 with one last marvellous musical, archeological missive, and reissue Jackie Mittoo`s In Africa, on their offshoot, Miss You. The album was recorded in 1985, in Accra, while Jackie was on tour in Ghana with Musical Youth. The sessions, laid down at Black Note Studios, featured members of the UK band, and a host of local musicians. Island Records legend, Paul “Groucho” Smykle, later mixed some of the songs at Matrix, in London. The LP, however, didn`t see the light of day until 1997, long after Jackie had tragically passed away in 1990. He was only 42. 

Pressed as a double, the Miss You vinyl version contains 14 tracks. All possess an `80s,  sort of Taxi Gang / Sly & Robbie sound. Everything, of course, features Jackie`s incredible keyboard skills. His constant vamping, singing, ringing, removing the need for any vocal, without ever losing the central melody. His trademark Hammond B3 takes centre stage, but its Chitlin circuit Mod jazz organ grind is often combined with synth riffs of a squelchy, rubbery nature. There are steel pan tones. Percussion is fed subjected to phasing. 

Much of the record is light-hearted, lilting poolside party music. More pop than roots. Lonely Nights Of Lome, for example, plays around with a popular piece of classical music, and similar to Leslie Butler or Cecil Lloyd`s reggae takes on songbook standards, is almost easy-listening. One Touch is disco-influenced, like, say, Bob Marley`s Could You Be Loved? Shake A Leg Highlife is slowed down, Wally Badarou-esque electro-soca. With “Groucho” at the desk, I guess, the sound of Island Records` Compass Point Studios looms large. I was wondering if Wally and Jackie – both Caribbean-connected keyboard maestros – knew each other, if they were friends, or maybe rivals? 

The album`s obvious highlights are its more leftfield moments. The wah-wah`d All Night In Accra, a dubbier, rootsier, Rasta call for unity, seems to be a reimagining of Ras Micheal`s Run Come Rally, while its remix, Midnight In Accra, is full of spaced-out, ambient swirls. The vocoder-ed No Show In Togo is a “must check” for folks who were fans of Legowelt`s radical re-rub of Pampidoo. The piano-led skanking, and good, good vibes, of Jah Bless Africa`s sing / chant-along, “Nyabinghi-lite” is something that`ll certainly sit in my own “Balearic” sets. 

Jackie Mittoo`s In Africa is out now on Miss You.