The Phil Dawson Quintet’s “Ghanaba,” released by Funkiwala Records, opens their album Don’t Waste Your Ancestors’ Time with a ten-minute journey through afrobeat, Afro-Brazilian grooves, and jazz improvisation. Anchored by Tony Kofi’s expressive tenor sax solo and Rowland Sutherland’s emotive flute, the track pays tribute to Ghanaian jazz pioneer Guy Warren, also known as Kofi Ghanaba, a trailblazing musician who brought Ghanaian drumming and West African rhythms into jazz. Maurizio Ravalico’s intricate percussion and Dawson’s fluid guitar lines complete the rich, dynamic soundscape.

The album features an all-star lineup of collaborators, including afrobeat legend Dele Sosimi, pianist Sam Leak, spoken word artist Khadijatou Doyneh, and Nigerian vocalist Biola Dosunmu. Drawing on Wole Soyinka’s call to honour ancestral legacies, the record explores themes of cultural heritage, unity, and social justice.

You can listen to the album and purchase your copy HERE