A Ghana Music Special - Alostmen + Ben Baddoo at The Jam Jar
Headfirst Editor's Pick

"The Jam Jar x Ghanaian underground musical expo continues with Strut-signed sensations Alostmen. Twisting the trance-inducing twang of the two-stringed kologo into a one-of-a-kind Frafra highlife fusion - somewhere between trad, West African rap styles and talking drum afro-funk. Radical revisionism!"

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See event details

A gig held at The Jam Jar on Friday 13th September. The event starts at 20:00.


For the next instalment of the Ghana Music Special, the Jam Jar presents Alostmen.

From the grittier end of Ghana’s bustling music scene, Alostmen is forged from the streets. Based around the Frafra traditions of the kologo, a stringed lute from which descends the banjo, Alostmen’s music uses traditional West African Instruments in an entirely new way, blending Ghanaian strings with stylish rap, percussion and trance rhythms.

The Jam Jar Presents
A Ghana Music Special - Alostmen
+ support from Ben Baddoo
+ Afterparty
Friday 13th September
at The Jam Jar, Bristol
Doors Open 8pm

Alostmen’s four members come from different ethnic groups, inspiring their name - "a lost man", one who is always on the move. In the words of lead vocalist and kolongo player Stevo Atambire “We were lost in the street, the forgotten people”. A Frafra neo-griot and Kologo master, Stevo’s voice, music and messages have made him highly popular among his people.

Wanlov the Kubolor is a visionary and outspoken artist of Akan and Balkan roots. He sings, raps and plays guitar as well as the koshkas (pendulum maracas, known as Asalato).

Abednego Sowah Ako is a Ga master drummer who plays the bass-like gome drum, the Kpanlogo and sings Ga folk melodies.

Aminu Amadu is a dondo (talking drum) maestro of Nigerian/Ghanaian heritage. He can sound out any melody on his instrument and has mastered the polyrhythms & grooves of West Africa.


“Alostmen's concert was exciting, unique, rootsy and contemporary. Genuine connection to the audience. A discovery and an unexpected highlight!” WOMAD festival.

Entry requirements: 14+, any under 18s accompanied by 21+ adult 1:1 ratio

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