Top Marks For Lumba

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
Saturday, 05 January 2008

The once upon a time high life ‘twins’, Lumba Brothers, last Saturday proved to the hundreds of patrons who attended the ‘United For Peace Concert’ that they are still a force to reckon with in live band musical performance.

Throughout their one and a half hour show, the kings of highlife, Nana Acheampong and Daddy Lumba, thrilled the charged audience with their hit tracks from both their old and new albums.

It was as if there were no seats in the packed auditorium as everyone got onto their feet to dance and or sing along with the ‘born again’ duo who staged a spectacular stagecraft. The two musicians went their separate ways in the 1980s after their first hit album ‘Yere ye aka Akwantuo Mu’.

They were preceded by other performers but at exactly 1:30 am, when some of the audiences were feeling exhausted and Nana Acheampong stepped onto the stage in an all white-attire, the reception was amazing.

His appearance was greeted with yelling and thunderous applause, which ‘resurrected’ those dozing off at the time. Although his performance did not initially stimulate the audience, he went all out to finally pull the audience to the dancing floor.

With few minutes for Nana to end his performance, Daddy Lumba showed up on stage but he quickly moved backstage after few seconds, hyping the excitement of the crowd. Nana’s dancing moves with his dancers were impressive.

It was a paparazzi affair when Nana Acheampon finally paved way for Daddy Lumba to mount the stage for his performance. His fans moved forward to the stage amidst shouts with their cameras to snap shots of him while others set their phones to record his performance.

Others tried all out to touch him. His love songs and silky voice perhaps charmed the audience, especially the ladies who wanted to either join him on stage or move him to join the audience.

For about 30 minutes, the man who has 24 albums to his credit moved the spirits of the audience with his love songs and seductive dance on stage. Just as he got charged to deliver more of his songs, Nana Acheampon joined him on stage to do their 1980s hit track "Yereye Aka Akwantuo Mu’.

But just as the Ghana Base Band hit the tune of the track, boxing champion, Professor Azuma Nelson, emerged from backstage to lift up the hands of Nana and Daddy Lumba to signify their reunion.

It was an exciting moment for both the crowd, Nana Acheampong and Daddy Lumba as there were shouts all over the auditorium.

The show, organised by Ghana Base Management Limited began with performances by Wulomei, Antwi ne Antwi,Castro, Mzbel, Daasebre Dwamena, Nana Quame, Becca and Wutah, all of whom performed satisfactorily.