The vibrant Ghanaian afro-beat artist Ebo Taylor has been making music for more than half a century and has collaborated with the likes of artists such as Fela Kuti. His style includes flavours of jazz, funk and afro-beat, concocting a combination that melts in your mouth. His new EP Palaver is optimistic and summery. The penultimate track 'Help Africa' is a cheerful protest song. It features complex rhythms on a rounded sounding guitar, sharp brass, bongos and drums and an expressive bass part. The saxophone solo is rich and soulful, intensifying the joyful spirit of the song. A repetitive brass part imposes a sunny and carefree notion, juxtaposing the context of the lyrics sung by Taylor "Theres war, war, war in Africa. Help, help, help Africa...fight for Africa to be free." The way that the brass parts interact, with the solos joining in harmony, perfectly reflects the sentiment of unity and peace in the song. -Ellie Rose Davies